Green Ship Groups Collaborate

Many ports offer incentives to encourage environmentally friendly ships

Two institutions that encourage environmentally friendly ship design say they are joining forces.

The Environmental Ship Index (ESI) and Green Award Foundation nautical environmental certificates will work together, with the Foundation using ESI results as part of its evaluation and, in return, checking ship emissions as part of ESI's annual audit.

ESI, which began at the start of 2011, is issued by the World Port Climate Initiative at the request of the ship, giving an objective measurement of nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide, and carbon dioxide emissions.

As of this month, 1,442 ship are part of the ESI system, which allows them to receive incentives from 19 ports and other organizations.

The Green Award Foundation, based in Rotterdam, issues certificates to ships for investments in ship and crew quality, with factors including safety measures like ship maintenance and crew training as well as environmental efforts around issues like fouling and waste management, according to its website.

Since its start in 1994, it has awarded certificates to about 250 sea-going ships and 350 inland vessels.

Thirty ports and other institutions provide incentives for Green Award recipients, including 14 European ports, three in Canada, three in New Zealand, and one each in Oman and South Africa.

Ports and groups providing incentives under the ESI are mostly in Europe, but also include the Port of Ashdod in Israel, the Rightship Pty Ltd in Australia, and the Port of Los Angeles and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in the U.S., according to the ESI website.