2Sustain

Working within the framework of the World Ports Climate Initiative, six European ports have collaborated to launch an initiative to reward ships that cut emissions.

Beginning in January, the ports of Hamburg, Bremen, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Le Havre will offer financial incentives to ships that perform better than the emissions standard adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) back in 2008. The cornerstone of this new initiative is the Environmental Ship Index (ESI), which essentially calculates a ship’s green performance. (more…)

Even though a federal judge is expected to lift the injunction that has stalled the Clean Truck Program at the Port of Los Angeles, officials there said last week that they will not immediately enforce a ban on freight haulers who don’t comply with the program’s strict requirements.

According to dailybreeze.com, the Port officials are delaying the ban so that trucking companies have enough time to comply with provisions of the program that were deemed last month to be legal by a US District Judge. (more…)

The Port of Singapore was presented with the ‘Best Green Service Provider – Seaport’ award at the 24th Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards held earlier this month in Shanghai.

The award recognizes Singapore’s long-standing commitment to environmentally-friendly shipping and port activities. For instance, the country is compliant with environmental regulations set by national and global bodies  (such as all the Annexes of the International Maritime Organization’s MARPOL convention), and its consistent application of environmental standards is complemented by recent investments in green initiatives and technology. Specifically, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) driving maritime R&D in clean technologies in partnership with tertiary research institutions and the industry, supported by MPA’s S$100 million Maritime Innovation and Technology Fund. (more…)

Last week, the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners adopted a strict ban on “dirty” trucks effective January 1, 2010. The move goes beyond regulations already in place in the state of California and underscores the Port Board’s continued efforts to clean the air in and around Oakland.

“This is another step that clearly demonstrates our commitment to a healthy community,” Port Board President Victor Uno says. “The strict truck ban will help us achieve our goal of reducing the health risk from diesel pollution from seaport sources.” (more…)