PIL Gets Environmental Ship Index Certification for Its 500K TEU Fleet

Singapore’s container shipping company Pacific International Lines (PIL) has obtained the Environmental Ship Index (ESI) certification for its fleet comprised of about half a million TEUs.

As explained, this is a major milestone for the ship owner and operator ahead of the transition towards the International Maritime Organization (IMO) sulphur cap 2020 from January 1 next year.

ESI certification is an ongoing initiative by the World Ports Sustainability Program (WPSP) and is a voluntary program for ship owners to enroll their vessels – attesting that their vessels exceed the basic standard set by the IMO.

To qualify for the certification, vessels have to demonstrate that their emission level of nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulphur oxide (SOx) and carbon oxide (CO2) is well below what is allowed by the IMO. This is an indicator of the environmental performance of the ocean-going vessels and is aimed at encouraging the adoption of green ships.

Back in 2017, the International Association for Ports and Harbours (IAPH) set up WPSP with the aim of enhancing and coordinating future sustainability efforts of ports worldwide as well as fostering international cooperation with partners in the supply chain.

“Sustainability will remain a key part of how we conduct our business and we take protecting our maritime and port environment very seriously. We are doing this not just for ourselves but for the next generation who will be inheriting this earth from us,” Teo Siong Seng, Executive Chairman and MD of PIL, commented.

“PIL is proud to be part of the program and we will continue to engage with business, governmental and societal stakeholders to create sustainable value-add to the local communities and beyond,” he added.

PIL owns and operates with a fleet of around 150 container and multipurpose vessels, serving over 500 locations in 100 countries.