Port of Gothenburg nominated for the Energy Globe World Awards 2011

On Friday the Energy Globe World Awards 2011 will be presented in Vienna, Austria. The Energy Globe World Awards are among the most prestigious environmental awards in the world. One of the almost 1,000 entries from 105 countries was the Port of Gothenburg, nominated for its work on shoreside power connection of vessels at berth.

The winners of the prestigious Energy Globe World Awards 2011 will be announced on Friday. Of the almost 1,000 entries, the Port of Gothenburg was selected as one of the three finalists in the Air category. The Port of Gothenburg has been nominated for its work on shoreside power connection of vessels at berth.

In 2000, the Port of Gothenburg was the first port in the world to offer a high-voltage shoreside power supply to the Stora Enso freight vessels. In 2011, a further step was taken towards cleaner shipping in the Gothenburg port area when Stena Line inaugurated a completely new facility for shoreside power supply to the company's new ferries operating on their Sweden-Germanyroute. In total, one in three vessels that put into the Port of Gothenburg can shut down its diesel engines whilst at the quayside and instead uses a land-based power supply on board.

During a 10-hour stopover, the diesel engines on one single vessel can generate up to 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Shutting down the engines and using shoreside power instead offers considerable environmental benefits. There is a substantial reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and the emission of sulphur dioxide and nitric oxide are eliminated completely. Shoreside power also results in a quieter port environment and a better working environment.

Åsa Wilske, Environmental Manager at the Port of Gothenburg, said: "One of our greatest challenges at the Port of Gothenburg is to combine increased growth with reduced environmental impact. Shoreside power connection is an important step along the way and through collaboration and innovation we are a world leader in this area."

The prize, worth EUR 10,000 will be awarded at a gala in Vienna, Austria on November 25. The gala will be broadcast live on television all over the world. Apart from the monetary reward, the winner will also receive a bronze statue weighing 17 kg and a certificate. The jury is chaired by Maneka Gandhi, Minister of the Environment in India, and comprises an expert panel made up of representatives from bodies that include the UN, the World Bank and the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC).

The Energy Globe World Awards aim to promote clean, renewable energy sources and are awarded in five categories: Earth, Fire, Water, Air and Youth. The awards have been presented since 1999 and are now one of the world's most prestigious environmental awards. The almost 1,000 entries represent 105 countries.

For further information please contact Cecilia Carlsson, Corporate Communication Manager at Port of Gothenburg on +46 31-731 22 45 or at cecilia.carlsson@portgot.se.