Port of Antwerp Rewards Green Ships

Belgium’s port of Antwerp will grant a discount of up to 30% in port dues to seagoing ships that use alternative technology to reduce emissions of particulates, starting from June 1.

Ships can claim the discount if they can demonstrate that they either make effective use of scrubbers (in closed mode), or are powered by LNG for a period of at least 24 hours before they call at the port of Antwerp.

Ships powered by LNG can receive a discount of 20%, while those that make use of closed scrubbers can get a discount of 15%. The percentages will be gradually reduced as of 2016 in order to reward the ”early adopters” who make the necessary investment now. The percentages for 2016 are set at 15% and 10% respectively, and for 2017 they will be 10% and 5%.

The new discount comes on top of the existing Environmental Ship Index (ESI) discount. The ESI is based on a system of credits ranging from 0 to 100 that ships can earn for having environmental performance better than required by the regulations for NOx, SOx and CO2.

Ships that obtain 31 or more credits can have their bill for port dues reduced by 10%. The ESI system is currently supported by 25 ports and so far has benefited 3,067 ships.