The Port of London Authority (PLA) hosted 20 specialists from ports and incentive providers around the world recently, when the steering group for the Environmental Ship Index (ESI) met in London.
The experts, from ports including Rotterdam, Marseille, Los Angeles and Panama met over two days to help shape the next phase in the development of the ESI. The Index identifies seagoing ships that perform better in reducing air emissions than required by the current emission standards of the International Maritime Organization. The PLA uses it as the basis for identifying ships which qualify for its green tariff of discounted port charges.
The ESI is one of the key initiatives of the World Ports Sustainability Program (WPSP), which captures the world’s key ports’ commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while continuing their role as transportation and economic centres. Embracing oxides of nitrogen and sulphur dioxide emissions, it provides a comprehensive assessment of ships’ environmental performance.
The PLA will be increasing the "green discount" for ships achieving at least an ESI score of 30 over legal compliance from January and will be introducing its own hybrid powered pilot cutter – believed to be one of the first in the world – to its operations in 2019.
About the Port of London Authority
The PLA works to ensure navigational safety along the tidal Thames, sharing its marine, environmental, planning and other expertise to promote use of the river and safeguard its unique marine environment. The tidal Thames is one of the UK’s busiest waterways and is home to the country’s second biggest port by tonnage of goods handled.