Press release -
15 vessels in campaign for a cleaner marine environment
Fifteen vessels have already been signed up for the Port of Gothenburg campaign for a cleaner marine and air environment. The vessels are operated by the shipping lines TransAtlantic, Stena Oil, Tärntank AB and Topoil AB. The campaign means that vessels that opt to use cleaner fuel whilst in port waters will receive financial compensation. Vessels which are classified as green according to an international index are also compensated.
The Port of Gothenburg has for several years levied a surcharge on vessels where the sulphur content of the fuel is higher than 0.5 per cent. Following consultation with the Gothenburg Shipbrokers' Association, the port decided in the spring that revenue from the environmentally differentiated port charge will be reinvested in those shipping lines that have switched to clean fuels (maximum 0.1 per cent sulphur content). Other environmental initiatives are also rewarded*. The campaign will be run throughout 2011 and 2012.
11 operate on low-sulphur fuel
To date, 11 vessels have applied for compensation in return for running on fuel containing a maximum of 0.1 per cent sulphur. Six vessels are operated by Stena Oil and five by Topoil AB. These vessels operate frequently in the port area as they are bunker vessels – vessels that supply other vessels with fuel.
Carl Johan von Sydow, Project Manager Sales and Logistics at Topoil, said: "Collaboration with the Port of Gothenburg is a natural progression in our environmental programme. We are firmly convinced that an active environmental strategy will drive development forward and will prove profitable for both the environment and for companies."
In another part of the campaign the first twenty 'green vessels'* that put into the port this year will share a pot of SEK 600,000. The term 'green' means that the vessel is classified as offering 'good environmental performance' according to the international Clean Shipping Index. To date, the shipping line TransAtlantic has reported three vessels and the tanker company Tärntank one vessel.
Annelie Rusth Jensen, Sustainability Co-ordinator at Transatlantic, said: "TransAtlantic has three vessels that put into the Port of Gothenburg each week and they all have high scores in the Clean Shipping Index. It was an obvious step for us to take up the port's offer and receive positive feedback on our active environmental work. It also demonstrates the importance of several parties working together for a cleaner environment."
Still money available
There is still the opportunity for more shipping lines to participate in the Port of Gothenburg Environmental Campaign, both with regard to rewards for cleaner fuel and compensation for green vessels.
Magnus Kårestedt, Port of Gothenburg chief executive, said: "We hope that more companies will have their eyes opened to our campaign. It should pay to invest in the environment in the Port of Gothenburg."
For further information, please contact Cecilia Carlsson, Media Relations Officer, Gothenburg Port Authority, phone +46 (0)31-731 22 45.
Please find enclosed document for more information about participating companies.
Fact file: Port of Gothenburg
The Port of Gothenburg is the largest port in the Nordic region with 11,000 visits by vessels each year. One-third of Swedish foreign trade passes through the Port of Gothenburg as well as 65 per cent of all container traffic.
The Port of Gothenburg is the only port in Sweden with the capacity to receive the world's largest container vessels and has the broadest range of shipping routes within and outside Europe. The 26 rail shuttles that depart each day mean that companies throughout Sweden and Norway have a direct, environmentally smart link to the largest port in the Nordic region. The Port of Gothenburg has terminals for oil, cars, ro-ro, containers and passengers.
