IAPH signs agreement with Green Award Foundation to administer and expand the popularized formula-based index which rewards vessels for improved energy efficiency and reduced emissions
January 13 , 2021
The International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) is delighted to announce the signing of a contract with the Green Award Foundation to administer and manage the more-than 8,400-strong database of ships and 59 incentive providers already registered on the index.
Under the auspices of the IAPH’s World Ports Sustainability Program, the Environmental Ship Index Portal (ESI) enables ports and other interested parties to incentivise ships to use cleaner engines and fuels with preferential treatment offered either through discounts on port dues, bonuses or other benefits commensurate with a specified level of cleanliness. ESI is a voluntary tool which includes a formula-based evaluation of vessels' nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions. The calculation also rewards vessels that are equipped to use available onshore power and which demonstrate fuel efficiency improvements over time, reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matter (PM) emissions.
IAPH Technical Director Antonis Michail commented : “The agreement IAPH has signed with Green Award is to take the Environmental Ship Index to the next level in terms of full-time administrative support, governance and further expansion. The ESI has become the established standard upon which port authorities and maritime administrations incentivise ship owners and ship owner- operators to continuously improve the environmental performance of the fleets calling at their terminals. In partnership with Green Award, we aim to expand the range of potential emissions including greenhouse gases in the calculation and will further enhance the separate noise emission functionality. Right now, the strongest representation we have on the Index comes from the container shipping sector, with over half of the world fleet registered. Tankers (gas, chemical and oil) are also well represented with 28% of the world fleet. The focus will be on growing the number of registered dry bulk and general cargo vessels as well as ro-ro and cruise vessels.”
Established in 1994, Green Award is a global, independent, non-profit quality assurance organisation with the primary task of certifying ship managers and vessels that go beyond the industry standards in terms of safety, quality and environmental performance. The foundation works closely with maritime authorities and classification societies, provides data to Equasis (the database containing safety-related information on the world’s merchant fleet). Green Award has been an active member and Incentive Provider to the IAPH Environmental Ship Index, having collaborated with the Working Group since its foundation back in 2011.
Green Award Executive Director J.A.A.J. (Jan)Fransen comments : “With this agreement with IAPH, we take a step further in accomplishing our vision of driving the highest standards in environmental performance and safety in international shipping. By operating this non-profit certification scheme that assesses ship environmental performance based on continuous improvement, we offer owners and operators further motivation for environmentally-responsible shipping.”
As of January, owners and owner-operators with ships registered on ESI will be approached directly by the Green Award team for certification updates and will also be informed about the new subscription fee scheme that will be implemented to finance further user improvements and the further development of the Index.
News story contact :
Victor Shieh - IAPH Communications Director
Email : victor.shieh@iaphworldports.org
Tel : + 32 473 980 855
About IAPH
Founded in 1955, the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) is a non-profit-making global alliance of 170 ports and 140 port-related organisations covering 90 countries. Its member ports handle more than 60 percent of global maritime trade and around 80 percent of world container traffic. IAPH has consultative NGO status with several United Nations agencies, including the IMO. Through its knowledge base and access to regulatory bodies, IAPH aims to facilitate energy transition, accelerate digitalisation and assist in improving overall resilience of its member ports in a constantly changing world. In 2018, IAPH established the World Ports Sustainability Program (WPSP). Guided by the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, it aims to unite sustainability efforts of ports worldwide by sharing best practices through its project portfolio and collaborative partnerships.
About Green Award
Green Award is a voluntary quality assessment certification scheme that audits and certifies ships and shipping companies. Green Award-certified oceangoing ships are audited on over 50 different topics, excelling in extra safe and extra clean shipping. Some recently modified topics that are looked into are sewage and grey water management, stern tube lubrication, fatigue management, cyber risk, noise and vibration (onboard & underwater). More modifications are expected in 2021 for all ship types. The addition of air emission subjects (SOx, CO2, NOx, PM) through the Environmental Ship Index and future additions that include the social dimension/sustainability are also in development. Green Award certified ships are granted incentives in 40 ports and from 85 other incentive providers globally.
Main photograph: Cameron Venti | Source: Unsplash