World ports organisation to present toolbox and experience of leading ports at next week's Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting of the International Maritime Organisation.
Valencia, 18th October 2018
With the upcoming IMO MEPC73 meeting in London next week focussing on an action plan to reduce shipping-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) will present its climate-related work to the IMO in an open session , with member ports of Los Angeles , Rotterdam and Yokohama showcasing their initiatives.
Developing practical, measurable tools to assist owner-operators and ports to reduce emissions
Some of this work was highlighted earlier today by World Ports Sustainability Program's Technical Director Antonis Michail, who addressed delegates at the GreenPort Congress in Valencia. He encouraged ports to submit projects to the Program and focussed in particular on plans to further develop and expand the Environmental Ship Index (ESI), a scheme providing the means to assess vessel performance on air emissions relative to IMO rules.
Dr. Michail stated:
"This initiative encourages ports to voluntarily develop their own incentive schemes based on ESI scores which reward owners with outstanding performances that exceed legislative requirements . With around 7,000 vessels and over 50 incentive providers signed up since its foundation 8 years ago, the Index contains over half of the world's container vessels, with tankers (gas, chemical and oil) accounting for 28% of the total ships registered. We are upgrading the ESI usability, scope and membership benefits to bring more owners and ports to the table with a tangible, useful tool for both parties."
Dr. Michail also commented on other climate-related projects developed by IAPH working groups under the umbrella of the World Ports Sustainability Program, such as the recently-launched LNG audit tool that helps port authorities in accrediting LNG bunker facility operators and provides a blueprint for the provision of zero carbon fuels. He also cited initiatives which IAPH has endorsed or participated in, such as the International Task Force on Port Call Optimisation. The Task Force aims at reducing vessel time at port by developing a standardised, quality-assured process for vessel port calls using agreed definitions and all parties involved sharing operational information. The scheme offers lower emissions and cost efficiency benefits for both owner-operators and the nautical service providers who serve them.
MD calls for combined approach to GHG emissions reductions
Looking ahead to next weeks' IMO MEPC73 meeting in London, IAPH Managing Director Patrick Verhoeven reiterated the benefits of combining efforts of shipping and port communities to combat greenhouse gas emissions reductions, commenting:
"Under the umbrella of the World Ports Sustainability Program, key participants from both shipping and ports have voluntarily collaborated to successfully designing and deploying tangible, climate-related projects like the Environmental Ship Index (ESI) and the LNG Bunkering audit tool. We believe that this united approach will be key to a successful implementation of the IMO strategy, effectively moving us towards to a zero-carbon maritime industry, both through short-term and longer-term measures."
About the World Ports Sustainability Program (WPSP)
On 12 May 2017 the International Association of Ports and Harbors decided to set up a World Ports Sustainability Program. Guided by the 17 UN SDGs the program wants to enhance and coordinate future sustainability efforts of ports worldwide and foster international cooperation with partners in the supply chain. The World Ports Sustainability Program The World Ports Sustainability Program covers five main areas of collaboration between IAPH member ports : resilient infrastructure, climate and energy, safety and security, community outreach and port-city dialogue, governance and ethics.
Contact : Victor Shieh, Communications Partner
Email : victor.shieh@sustainableworldports.org
Tel : + 32 473 980 855