The Port of Antwerp is rewarding vessels that use alternative technology to reduce emissions of particulates with a 15-20% discount on port dues.
Vessels calling at the port can claim the discount as of 1 June 2015 if operators can show the vessel either uses scrubbers in closed mode or is powered by LNG for a period of at least 24 hours before calling. Those vessels running on LNG can receive a discount of 20%, while those using closed scrubbers can get a discount of 15%.
The new discount comes on top of the existing Environmental Ship Index (ESI) discount, which is based on a system of credits ranging from 0 to 100 that ships can earn for having environmental performance better than required by the regulations for NOx, SOx and CO2. Ships that obtain 31 or more credits can have their bill for port dues reduced by 10%. The ESI system is currently supported by 25 ports and so far has benefited 3,067 ships.
With this additional environmental discount, which is part of the city’s ‘Particulates and NO2 Action Plan’, Antwerp Port Authority says it hopes to encourage more investments in ‘green’ technology for more sustainable shipping.
The discount is being introduced for a period of three years and will gradually be reduced as of 2016 in order to reward early adopters who make the necessary investment now. The percentages for 2016 are set at 15% and 10%, and for 2017 they will be 10% and 5%.
