Rotterdam will be the first port in the world to reward ocean-going LNG tankers which possess the Green Award certificate. The Port Authority will give these ships 6% discount on port dues when they arrive in Rotterdam. LNG tankers have arrived in Rotterdam since the opening of the Gate terminal in 2011.
The Green Award is a certificate presented by the independent Green Award Foundation to ships and shipping companies which have made extra investments in vessel and crew and, in this way, improved the environmental performance, safety and quality. At the request of the market and after many years of preparation, the Green Award Foundation last year started to certify LNG tankers. These tankers carry natural gas that has been converted to a liquid state at extremely low temperatures, making it safe to transport. By now, 36 LNG tankers with a Green Award certificate are in operation.
It is in keeping with Port of Rotterdam policy to support sustainable shipping. That is why it has rewarded Green Award oil tankers and inland vessels up to now. In addition to this, the Port of Rotterdam was involved from the start in the development of the Environmental Ship Index, an index for sustainable shipping. Last year Port of Rotterdam stimulated sustainable shipping to the tune of over €2 million.
[mappress] LNG World News Staff, February 18, 2013; Image: Gate LNG