USA: Port’s Environmental Incentive Program Encourages Sustainable Shipping

The Prince Rupert Port Authority launched its Green Wave environmental stewardship program this month to further reward shippers for their commitment to sustainable practices.

The Green Wave program supersedes PRPA’s Environmental Incentive Program for Vessels, which was introduced in 2013 to offer discounted harbour dues to commercial vessels that implement emission reduction measures or other environmental practices. Through Green Wave, PRPA is providing even greater opportunities for shipping companies to reap the benefits of their outstanding environmental performance.

“By increasing the scope of our environmental incentive program, we’ve included more qualification standards for arriving vessels that are consistent across the global shipping industry,” said Don Krusel, President and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority. “We’re proud to be accelerating the industry’s movement toward greater efficiency and sustainability through programs like Green Wave. As more members of the worldwide port community launch similar initiatives, common systems of measurement and reward are vital to wide adoption and success.”

Building on the success of the EIPV, Green Wave incorporates a number of additional mechanisms for incentives, which include fuel sulphur content, Environmental Ship Index (ESI), Green Marine Program, RightShip GHG, Green Award, Clean Shipping Index, and Energy Efficiency Design Index. Already in 2014 several ships calling on the Port of Prince Rupert have successfully applied to Green Wave, including the Europa Bay bulk carrier and COSCO Shanghai container ship.

This month, environmental shipping organizations Carbon War Room and Rightship acknowledged PRPA’s leadership role in advancing environmental protection at seaports through Green Wave.

“It is great to see PRPA joining the pioneering charterers who are using the A to G rating to enhance their commercial operations,” said Jose Maria Figueres, President of Carbon War Room. “As important demand-side stakeholders, ports have a key role to play in encouraging the greater use of efficiency rating systems and in rewarding shipowners who invest to make their fleets more efficient.”

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The Prince Rupert Port Authority, January 31, 2014; Image: iStock