DNV GL to Implement Green Tech on Hamburg Port Authority Fleet

DNV GL has signed a letter of intent with the Hamburg Port Authority.

DNV GL Friday announced that it has signed a letter of intent with the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) that will see DNV GL implement green technologies across the port authority's current and future fleet.

Claudia Flecken, Member of the HPA Executive Board, and Torsten Schramm, President of DNV GL – Maritime, signed the agreement at SMM in Hamburg on Friday.

"This letter of intent is another building block in our strategy of setting Hamburg’s harbour on a sustainable course," said Jens Meier, Chairman of the HPA Executive Board, adding: "we are delighted to know that DNV GL is working alongside us as a strong partner and independent advisor, supporting us every step of the way with their expertise."

The agreement comes after the Hamburg Senate's June decision for the HPA to take over Hamburg's municipal fleet as of July 1, 2017, and is noted to be part of an overall effort to reduce harbour emissions and make the port more sustainable.

"An important milestone on this journey is centralizing the management of the municipal fleet under the roof of the HPA. This way we can make full use of all possibilities for reducing the emissions from the city’s own vessels," explained Frank Horch, Hamburg’s Senator for Economy, Transport, and Innovation.

The HPA is noted to currently operate 31 vessels, including surface sounding vessels, pilot vessels and ice breakers, while fire-fighting vessels, harbour police vessels, launches, and bridge inspection vessels will be added from the municipal fleet next year for a total of 49 vessels.

"We are very pleased that DNV GL has been chosen to support the HPA in promoting low-emissions propulsion technologies. This sets the course for a modern, sustainable fleet," saidSchramm.

In March, Ship & Bunker reported that a new bunker saving collaboration between Carnival Maritime and the Hamburg Vessel Coordination Center (HVCC) was intended to gain fuel savings through improved movements of vessels in the Port of Hamburg and the narrow river Elbe.