difficult to identify ‘best practices’ for all the environmental impacts that port
activities generate, the introduction of shoreside electricity supply (‘cold ironing’)
is identified as a specific measure that would have the advantage of reducing several
negative impacts simultaneously, such as SO2, NOx and particulates emissions,
noise and, possibly, CO 2 emissions. In states where electricity generation is covered
by a ‘cap-and-trade’ system for CO 2 emissions (e.g. in some EU states), the latter
would be the case, regardless of how the electricity used to supply the ships is
produced, as long as the ‘cap’ of the trading system remains unchanged. However,
an important obstacle to a broader use of shoreside electricity is that electricity
systems vary between states, both in terms of voltage, frequency and pricing. And it
is not enough to make shoreside electricity available, unless ships are obliged to use
it; they have few incentives to do so.
11.5.1 Environmental Ship Index (ESI)
On 12 May 2017 the International Association of Ports and Harbors decided to set up
a World Ports Sustainability Program (WPSP) guided by the 17 UN SDGs in order
to enhance and coordinate future sustainability efforts of ports worldwide and foster
international cooperation with partners in the supply chain. The WPSP aims to
demonstrate global leadership of ports in contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. The cooperation between port professionals,
academic researchers and specialist organisations has proven to be a potent mix in
terms of delivering a functional framework of cost-effective solutions developed to
implement policies and produce continuous improvement of the port environment.
The WPSP builds on the World Ports Climate Initiative that IAPH started in 2008
and extends it to other areas of sustainable development. Building on the output of
the World Ports Climate Initiative, port community actors can collaborate in refining
and developing tools to facilitate reduction of CO 2 emissions from shipping, port
and landside operations. In addition, they can take initiatives to enable energy
transition, improve air quality and stimulate circular economy. The American
Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), the European Sea Ports Organisation
(ESPO), the International Association of Cities and Ports (AIVP) and the World
Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure (PIANC) signed up as strategic
partners of the World Ports Sustainability Program.
One of the projects within WPSP is the Environmental Ship Index (ESI). The
Environmental Ship Index (ESI) identifies seagoing ships that perform better in
reducing air emissions than required by the current emission standards of the
International Maritime Organization. The ESI evaluates the amount of nitrogen
oxide (NOx) and sulphur oxide (SOx) that is emitted by a ship; it includes a reporting
scheme on the greenhouse gas emission of the ship. The ESI is a perfect indicator of
the environmental performance of ocean-going vessels and will assist in identifying
cleaner ships in a general way. The index is intended to be used by ports to reward
ships when they participate in the ESI in order to promote clean ships but can also
be used by shippers and ship owners as their own promotional instrument. It should
180
V. Alexandropoulou et al.
activities generate, the introduction of shoreside electricity supply (‘cold ironing’)
is identified as a specific measure that would have the advantage of reducing several
negative impacts simultaneously, such as SO2, NOx and particulates emissions,
noise and, possibly, CO 2 emissions. In states where electricity generation is covered
by a ‘cap-and-trade’ system for CO 2 emissions (e.g. in some EU states), the latter
would be the case, regardless of how the electricity used to supply the ships is
produced, as long as the ‘cap’ of the trading system remains unchanged. However,
an important obstacle to a broader use of shoreside electricity is that electricity
systems vary between states, both in terms of voltage, frequency and pricing. And it
is not enough to make shoreside electricity available, unless ships are obliged to use
it; they have few incentives to do so.
11.5.1 Environmental Ship Index (ESI)
On 12 May 2017 the International Association of Ports and Harbors decided to set up
a World Ports Sustainability Program (WPSP) guided by the 17 UN SDGs in order
to enhance and coordinate future sustainability efforts of ports worldwide and foster
international cooperation with partners in the supply chain. The WPSP aims to
demonstrate global leadership of ports in contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. The cooperation between port professionals,
academic researchers and specialist organisations has proven to be a potent mix in
terms of delivering a functional framework of cost-effective solutions developed to
implement policies and produce continuous improvement of the port environment.
The WPSP builds on the World Ports Climate Initiative that IAPH started in 2008
and extends it to other areas of sustainable development. Building on the output of
the World Ports Climate Initiative, port community actors can collaborate in refining
and developing tools to facilitate reduction of CO 2 emissions from shipping, port
and landside operations. In addition, they can take initiatives to enable energy
transition, improve air quality and stimulate circular economy. The American
Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), the European Sea Ports Organisation
(ESPO), the International Association of Cities and Ports (AIVP) and the World
Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure (PIANC) signed up as strategic
partners of the World Ports Sustainability Program.
One of the projects within WPSP is the Environmental Ship Index (ESI). The
Environmental Ship Index (ESI) identifies seagoing ships that perform better in
reducing air emissions than required by the current emission standards of the
International Maritime Organization. The ESI evaluates the amount of nitrogen
oxide (NOx) and sulphur oxide (SOx) that is emitted by a ship; it includes a reporting
scheme on the greenhouse gas emission of the ship. The ESI is a perfect indicator of
the environmental performance of ocean-going vessels and will assist in identifying
cleaner ships in a general way. The index is intended to be used by ports to reward
ships when they participate in the ESI in order to promote clean ships but can also
be used by shippers and ship owners as their own promotional instrument. It should
180
V. Alexandropoulou et al.