A year ago, I appealed in this space for more focus on a long-term strategy in which the ports take responsibility for sustainable growth. Ports have taken important steps in this regard.
By definition, large ports have a large environmental responsibility. Ports are seeking to improve quality in terms of air, carbon dioxide emissions, water, soil, noise and external safety. And, of course, they are executing and promoting the shift from road to rail and water — all part of a transition to greener, smarter ports.
A good example of contribution to the global reduction of carbon dioxide emissions is the Environmental Shipping Index. As of Jan. 1, several ports in Europe started to reward clean ocean vessels — those that score well on the ESI, the new international standard for ships’ emissions — with discounts on their port dues.
Designed by the ports of Antwerp, Rotterdam Le Havre, Bremen, Hamburg and Amsterdam under the World Port Climate Initiative, the index shows the environmental performance of ships in terms of the emission of air pollutants (nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide) and CO2. Ships performing better than the legal norm will be rewarded.
Making port tariffs greener and rewarding clean vessels is in keeping with ports’ important push to develop in a sustainable way. The more ports and ships that use the ESI, the more this will influence behavior in the shipping industry.
As 2011 progresses, we also anticipate collaboration to increase between seaports and inland ports, not only because of commercial interest but to promote the modal shift. Increasing use of rail and better inland shipping connections will contribute substantially to sustainability. By increasing transport by rail and inland shipping, road transport will diminish.