ESI to evaluate CO2

Effective 1 July, the widening of the voluntary assessment is significant because previously only the environmental performance of ships on emissions of air pollution (NOx and SOx) has been addressed.

Free of charge, the ESI assesses performance based on historical data already included in the index. It compares the fuel consumption and the nautical miles travelled in the past three years (e.g. 2013, 2014, 2015) to that of the following year (2016). If relatively less fuel has been consumed then less CO2 has been emitted.

Devised as part of the World Ports Climate Initiative, the ESI recognises of the role of ports in ensuring ships meet carbon emissions reduction targets.

ESI scores are issued at the request of ship owners. Ships that score high on the ESI receive a premium from the participating ports and other organisations that reward sustainable shipping. As of 1 April 2017, the index comprised 5497 ships and 50 bonus providers.

In February last year, the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) said that the ESI is proving beneficial in the battle against climate change, reporting that 3,809 ships had a positive ESI score.