Press release -
43 vessels in campaign for cleaner shipping
An increasing number of shipping lines are
joining the Port of Gothenburg campaign for improved fuel quality. The latest
member is Höegh Autoliners, which has registered seven vessels for
participation in the campaign. The campaign will continue throughout the whole
of 2013.
Since 2011, the Port of Gothenburg has been running a campaign for a cleaner marine environment. The campaign means that vessels that switch to low-sulphur fuel when operating in the Gothenburg port area will receive financial compensation.
To date, six shipping lines with 43 vessels have joined the campaign, resulting in substantial environmental gains. During 2012, the campaign is expected to contribute to a reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions in Gothenburg by 100 tonnes, which corresponds to nearly 20 per cent of the total emissions from shipping in Gothenburg. This will result in a cleaner marine environment and reduced particle emissions into the atmosphere.
The latest company to join the campaign is the Norwegian owned ro-ro operator Höegh Autoliners, which calls at the Port of Gothenburg every other week.
Trond Sjursen, Head of European Operations at Höegh Autoliners, said: "The Port of Gothenburg environmental campaign is a way for us to reduce our environmental footprint. This is an ongoing part of our operations. Switching to low-sulphur fuel is costly but the environmental campaign has made it easier for shipping lines to change."
Maersk Line, Broström Tankers Sweden AB, Topoil, OW Bunker and Stena Oil have also joined the campaign.
The Port of Gothenburg has levied a charge for many years on vessels with more than 0.5% sulphur in the fuel. In 2011, the Port Authority decided that revenue deriving from this part of the port charge would be reinvested in environmental campaigns. The campaign for cleaner marine environment will continue throughout 2013, during which time the port hopes that more companies will join the scheme.
Åsa Wilske is Senior Manager, Sustainability at the Port of Gothenburg: "Through this campaign we are seeking to encourage shipping lines to switch to low-sulphur marine fuel. We now hope that even more companies will join the campaign during 2013."
The campaign was designed in consultation with the Gothenburg Shipbrokers' Association, environmental organisations and several of the port's customers.
Participating shipping lines:
Maersk Line – 19 vessels
Stena Oil – 6 vessels
Top Oil – 5 vessels
OW Bunker – 1 vessel
Broströms Tankers Sweden AB – 5 vessels
Höegh Autoliners – 7 vessels
For further information about the programmes and how to apply, please contact Åsa Wilske, Senior Manager Sustainability, Port of Gothenburg, phone 031-731 22 20.
Topics
Categories
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.
