Maersk Line and Broström join campaign for cleaner shipping

The world's largest container carrier, Maersk Line and Broström, a part of Maersk Tankers, have decided to join the Port of Gothenburg campaign for cleaner shipping. The two shipping companies are currently switching to fuel with a maximum of 0.1 per cent sulphur when they operate in the port area. Five shipping companies, with 37 vessels, are now participating in the Port of Gothenburg environmental campaign for cleaner shipping.

For several years, the Port of Gothenburg has imposed a surcharge on vessels with more than 0.5 per cent sulphur in the fuel. In autumn 2010, the port decided that the revenue from this environmentally differentiated port charge could be reinvested in shipping companies that opt for clean fuels (maximum of 0.1 per cent sulphur content). The shipping companies can receive up to SEK 250,000 in compensation for the higher fuel costs. Other environmental measures are also rewarded.

Maersk Line and Broström have recently joined the campaign. Maersk Line is one of the world's largest shipping companies and the first container company to switch to low-sulphur fuel in the Port of Gothenburg. Broström is part of the same group as Maersk Line, A.P. Moller Maersk, and is the first tanker company to join the environmental campaign. Apart from these two companies, Stena Oil, Topoil and OW Bunker are also participating.

A total of 37 vessels have applied for compensation for using fuel with a maximum of 0.1 per cent sulphur.

Åsa Wilske, Environmental Manager at the Port of Gothenburg, is extremely pleased that more and more shipping companies are opting to become part of the environmental campaign. "We are seeking to demonstrate that it is possible to take significant steps towards cleaner shipping through voluntary collaboration and innovative ways of working." 

Substantial reduction in sulphur emissions
As a mode of transport, shipping is very energy efficient. One large container ship can carry the same volume of freight as 7,000 trucks. Despite this, the emission of sulphur dioxide and particles is still a major problem for shipping. Sulphur dioxide acidifies land and water and spreads particles that are hazardous to health.

The investment in cleaner fuel will be of major importance to the environment. The 37 vessels that are involved will reduce their sulphur emissions by 90 per cent in the port area. Because of the campaign, emissions of sulphur dioxide are expected to fall during 2011 and 2012 by 152 tonnes.

For further information, please contact Cecilia Carlsson, Media Relations Officer, phone +46 (0)31-731 22 45.

Fact file: Environmental campaign

Programme 1: Improved fuel quality
The Port of Gothenburg is seeking to reduce the emission of sulphur oxide and particles and as a result supports shipping companies and operators that decide to use fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.1 per cent. The extra cost of using cleaner fuel in the Gothenburg traffic area will be reimbursed by up to SEK 250,000 per year per vessel.

Programme 2: Support for green vessels according to the Clean Shipping Index
The Port of Gothenburg will reimburse up to SEK 30,000 of the port charge to vessels putting into the Port of Gothenburg during 2011-2012 that are classified as "good environmental performance" according to the Clean Shipping Index. To be classified as green according to the Clean Shipping Index, the vessels must have good scores in all five areas – carbon dioxide, sulphur oxide and particles, nitric oxide, chemicals and water and waste.