It may not be the ports themselves that create the emissions, but if they work together, they can exert pressure on the supply chain to green-up, points out new research from the University of Hull.
Dr Patrick Rigot-Muller from Hull University Business School, said that ports are already doing good in improving their own energy efficiency and developing renewable sources.
He explained, “where ports work collectively, they can not only reduce emissions from their own activities but also encourage shipping companies and other elements in the supply chain to do the same”. He added there is scope to reduce carbon emissions in the maritime industry by between 25 and 75%.
There are a number of existing levers to reduce emissions: these include ‘green passports’ that offer reduced fees for low-emission shipping, ‘cold ironing’ initiatives and the use of truck control and vehicle booking systems which limit the time trucks spend with their engines running.
However, the key word is “collectively”. Professor David Gibbs of Hull University’s Geography Department also collaborated on the project: he said, “there is a good track record of shipping companies working in partnership with the port operators to improve environmental standards, given the right incentives”, but for agreements to be effective, they would have to be adopted at a Europe-wide level.
The study is being presented at the Low Carbon Shipping 2011 International Conference in Glasgow from 22– 24 June.
