The Baltic Ports Organization’s (BPO) Green InfraPort project is to use a €46,140 European Union (EU) grant to help plan and develop environmentally conscious activities across Baltic ports.
The EU funding comes following approval from EU’s Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) Seed Money Facility in line with the EU’s strategy for the development of ‘Clean and Safe Shipping’ for the Baltic region.
The BPO’s plans include exploring reception facilities for sewage from passenger ships and scrubber waste, as well as energy management initiatives such as on-shore power and LNG bunkering infrastructure.
Regulations and policies that require ports to adjust to the new legal framework by planning and investment to reduce emissions and process waste in a way that has less impact on the environment are soon entering into force. By July 2019 newbuild ships will need adequate port facilities to deal with waste in a manner that is compliant with more stringent legislation. This will also be a requirement for existing ships by 2021.
Furthermore, the increased installation of sulphur oxides (SOx) reducing scrubbers in to ships sialign in Emission Control Areas (ECAs) means that scrubber waste is at an all-time high and, therefore, proper in-port handling is vital for limiting the industry’s impact on port environments.
Bogdan Oldakowski, BPO Secretary General, commented: “Baltic ports have always been front runners when it comes to environmental initiatives. This project is another example of pro-active approach in the area of environmental management and investments in ports”.
The official start of the project is scheduled for April 2016 and is expected to be completed by the end of March 2017.
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