The Port of Antwerp has revealed that it is aiming to further reduce the presence of pollutants like NOx and SOx by rewarding 'clean' ships, with the most environmentally-friendly vessels granted a discount of 10 per cent on tonnage dues.
The move, which comes into force on 1 July, follows on from an initiative by the International Association of Ports and Harbours, in which port authorities from Le Havre, Bremen, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Antwerp introduced he Environment Shipping Index (ESI) which scores ships on criteria such as fuel consumption and emissions.
Seagoing vessels with a score of 31 or more on the ESI that visit the Belgian port will be granted the 10 per cent discount, guaranteed for a period of at least three years.
If fewer than 25 seagoing ships qualify for the discount, then the Antwerp Port Authority will reward the 25 vessels with the highest ESI score, which will apply to the end of 2011.
According to the Antwerp Port Authority, the introduction forms part of its policy of sustainable development, promoting investment in 'greener' ships.
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