An increasing effort across the shipping industry to become more sustainable has led to a number of initiatives and strategies being implemented by ports.
The demand for liquefied natural gas has resulted in ports expanding their infrastructure to make sure it’s available, while shore power stations have been deployed in many ports to eliminate emissions of ships while at berth.
The World Ports Climate Initiative brings together 55 of the world’s key ports, recognising their unique capacity as key hubs in global supply chains and their commitment to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. The WPCI also has particular involvement with 6 ports that carry out specific projects related to its goals.
It also has several pillars to its organisation, one of these is the Environmental Ship Index. The ESI recognises ships that perform better than the IMO’s set environmental standards, based on emissions of SOx, NOx and other GHG emissions.
Here’s what 6 ports are doing to encourage sustainable shipping.
Port of Antwerp, Belgium
Environmental Ship Index – in 2011 the port introduced the ESI to reduce environmental impact. Since 2012 some 500,000 euros of ESI discounts have been granted by Antwerp Port Authority.
LNG – the Port of Antwerp is the first Belgium port to supply LNG to seagoing ships since 2015. It regularly supplies LNG to barges and was the first port in the world to publish bunkering procedures. Antwerp is also the project port for the WPCI.
Onshore power – in 2009 the port introduced an onshore power supply, with the Deurganck West terminal made OPS-ready in 2014.
Port of Gothenburg, Sweden
City of Gothenburg Climate Programme – the port conducts its operations in accordance with the programme, which aims to reduce carbon emissions by 20% by 2030 compared with 2010 levels.
Clean Shipping Index – since 2011 the port has given financial compensation to vessels using cleaner fuels in port. This includes LNG.
Environmental campaign – the port ran a campaign from 2011-2014 that resulted in eight participating shipping lines reducing their sulphur emissions by 383 tonnes in total.
Environmental Ship Index – the port rewards vessel that are high environmental performers. In 2016, one in three ships received environmental discounts on port fees thanks to their high performance. Vessels also get an additional discount of 20% if they use LNG.
LNG – the Port of Gothenburg announced in July this year that Swedegas is to invest in new LNG infrastructure at the port, which is expected to be ready by 2018. The development will increase the availability of natural gas in Scandanavia.
Shore power – since the 1990s the port has provided electrical power to ferries. Today ships that have the facilities onboard can plug into shore power at the port. The Port of Gothenburg is also the project port for the WPI’s shore power project.
Port of Hamburg, Germany
Cargo handling equipment – the port’s automated guided vehicles (AGVs) have all undergone replacement of their diesel-powered engines with electric ones. The cars at the port too have been increasingly running off electric power. By 2016 there were 77 fully electric cars, meaning that Hamburg has the largest e-vehicle fleet of any European port.
According to the port, its reduction of CO2 emissions by 27.3% between 2008-2016, is largely attributed to the transition to electric vehicles.
Eco Partnership programme – Hamburg is a member of this initiative, which aims to address the efficiency of container terminals. Some of the programs to be implemented as part of the initiative include operating the entire of the port’s Altenwerder terminal using only renewable energy, and ensuring that the container bridges feed power back into the grid as they set down containers.
Environmental Ship Index – the German port participates in the ESI scheme, enabling ships to benefit from reduced port fees if they prove their vessels are of a certain standard. Since 2011, Hamburg calculates its port fees based on a ship’s ecological impact.
Sulphur free fuel – since 2009, the Hamburg Port Authority has been using sulphur-free fuel for its ships to reduce emissions and generate a clean port environment.
Port of Long Beach, California, United States
Cargo handling equipment – according to the port, millions of dollars have been used to replace port equipment’s diesel engines with more efficient systems. The port has also trialled and tested zero emissions tractors and cranes to cut pollution from vessels that are not just operating in the water.
Clean Air Action Plan – alongside the Port of LA, the POLB deploys a Clean Air Action Plan to identify strategies to reduce emissions in port. According to the port, since 2005 these strategies have resulted in emissions reductions of more than 85% for particulate matter, 50% for nitrogen oxides, and 95% for sulphur oxides.
Environmental Ship Index – the port participates in the ESI scheme, providing financial incentives for ships with newer, less polluting engines.
Green Incentive Program – ships are rewarded financially for operating with newer, cleaner engines.
Monitoring – the POLB deploys an air quality monitoring program to improve data collection in real time.
Shore power – the POLB has injected more than US $185m in dockside power hook-ups to enable ships visiting the port to use shore power. In January 2014, California made it mandatory for at least half of all container ships to run on shore side electrical power while at berth to cut overall emissions.
Vessel Speed Reduction – financial incentives are provided to ships that reduce their speed to 12 knots when entering the harbour.
The Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles also announced this week that they are looking into the possibility of approving an update to the Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP), to further reduce emissions and increase sustainable shipping.
Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Carbon capture program – the port has teamed up with other authorities to look at the possibility of constructing a CO2 pipeline through the port area.
Cargo handling equipment – patrol vessels have hybrid propulsion systems to ensure reduce emissions and enable patrol at low speeds. The port has also deployed mobile e-noses, which are patrol vessels with electronic sensors to detect noxious and hazardous substances. More than 250 of these exist on land in the port.
Environmental Ship Index – the port deploys the ESI incentives to ships visiting, helping to encourage ships to make environmentally conscious decisions. It is also the project port for the WPI’s ESI programme.
Offshore energy – the port has set aside 70ha for an offshore wind farm to help generate clean energy and lead the energy transition.
Port call optimisation – the port has deployed two platforms, Avanti and Pronto, to assist with transparent and efficient operation, driving better communication and planning of services for ships and use of terminals and bunker services.
Solar power – a pilot program is in place to look at the potential of floating solar panels.
Waste – an innovative waste clean-up technology known as the Waste Shark and developed by Richard Hardiman of RanMarine has been deployed at the Dutch port. It collects up to 1,000lbs of waste in its “mouth” that extends 35cm below the ocean’s surface, operating 24/7. Four Waste Sharks have been trialled at the port in the last 6 months.
Port of Vancouver, Canada
Clean air strategy – the port, along with Tacoma and Seattle have developed the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy to reduce diesel particulate matter emissions per tonne of cargo by 80% by 2020, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions per tonne of cargo by 15% by 2020.
Marine life – Vancouver has a particularly strong focus on the protection of marine life and has just completed a study on the Haro Strait that focused on the relationship between slower vessel speed, vessel noise, and the effects these factors have on wales.
In 2016, the port announced it would use ALL-SEA’s underwater hull cleaning system, WHALESHARK, that captures toxic pain materials and invasive species.
Monitoring – in 2014 the port purchased air quality and meteorological monitoring equipment to improve data quality capture and monitor changes.
Shore power – Vancouver was the first in Canada and the third in the world to make its port shore-power ready in 2009. It is a frequent spot for cruise ships to visit, which now have the option to use shore power while at berth.
Fathom-News
editor@fathom-mi.com
