Aarhus revises ship environmental incentive threshold

The Port of Aarhus is revising its environmental incentive scheme following the introduction of the updated Environmental Ship Index (ESI 2.0), setting a new qualifying threshold of 20 points to encourage improved vessel performance.

Developed and owned by the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) and administered globally by OceanScore, ESI helps ports identify and reward vessels exceeding environmental standards.

The updated methodology reflects developments in regulation, technology and vessel operations, with greater recognition of greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, electrification and environmental innovation.

An analysis by OceanScore of Aarhus’ 2025 vessel calls indicated that around 58 vessels previously qualifying under ESI 1.0 would no longer meet the port’s existing threshold under the revised scoring system.

“Choosing an ESI-score threshold is a balance,” said Anne Zachariassen, chief operating officer of Port of Aarhus.

“Too high and it becomes too hard for the shipping companies to reach no matter what the benefits are. We want the threshold to be ambitious and make a difference to the environment, but it only matters when shipping companies work towards it.”

The port expects the new threshold to encourage more shipping companies to improve their environmental performance while keeping participation achievable. It will review the 20-point requirement annually, with plans to raise it over time as vessel performance improves.

ESI 2.0 assesses vessels across four environmental dimensions: nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, greenhouse gases and innovation. The revised approach takes greater account of energy mixes, operational decisions and technologies that reduce environmental impacts.

Aarhus’s decision complements its wider sustainability programme, which includes Denmark’s first shore power facility for cruise ships and a planned shore power facility for container vessels.

From January 2027, ESI will operate alongside the Environmental Port Index (EPI) as complementary IAPH modules. While ESI assesses vessels’ overall environmental profiles, EPI evaluates performance during individual port calls using operational data.