Being green is no Hulk joke to the Port of Prince Rupert.
The latest enhancement of their Green Wave program proves it, since sailors can now qualify for even more incentives, just for being green.
“It’s a good thing if sailors utilize cleaner technologies. It’s good for us because it reduces the total environmental footprint of the port’s operations and it’s good for the marine carriers because it means they pay less when calling on the Port of Prince Rupert,” Kris Schumacher said, communications Port of Prince Rupert (PPR).
The Green Wave program, launched in 2013, gives shipping companies incentives to install emission-reduction technology or other sustainable systems on vessels. By doing so, seafarers can apply through a number of environmental programs such as RightShip, Green Marine and the Environmental Ship Index to name a few, and qualify for one, two or three-tier discounts on harbour dues.
This year 59 unique vessels have already qualified for the Green Wave program and as of May 31 the Port of Prince Rupert has awarded a total of $51,354 in discounted harbour dues.
“Those 59 vessels represent 86 independent vessel calls which is 53 per cent of the total vessel calls the port has experienced this year. That means more than half the vessel calls this year have qualified,” Schumacher said.
The RightShip program launched their greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) rating in 2011 based on CO2 output which covers all in-service ocean vessels including cargo, ferries and others. They also provide an environmental risk rating and compare the ship’s relative efficiencies. Ships are categorize with similar sized ships and then we rate them against each other, Kris Fumberger, project lead said.
“So if you want to get your cargo from A to B you can compare the vessels and select the vessel you want to use for your particular shipment,” he said, adding even bulk carriers are compared to each other so people can find the cheapest and/or more environmentally friendly vessel.
RightShip’s risk rating is subscriber-based but the companies environmental rating is free of charge.
“It provides people with a simple tool to look at their efficiency and that’s what Prince Rupert uses as part of their port program,” Helen Gibney said, RightShip communications.
In 2014, 45 per cent (197) of vessels that called to Prince Rupert qualified for discounted harbour dues under the Green Wave incentive program. Of those 197, 84 per cent qualified through RightShips GHG rating.
“In recognition of that, any vessel now that has a right ship ‘A’ rating… will automatically qualify for the highest discount which is nearly 50 per cent off harbour dues,” Gibney said.
COSCO shipping line, one of the biggest container shippers in the world, has a number of vessels taking advantage of the port’s Green Wave incentives.
“Certainly we are very much in favour of participating in these type of programs. Not only are they good for local environment, ports and community, it’s good for ocean carriers in terms of the incentive attached,” Dave Bedwell said, executive vice-president COSCO.
Prince Rupert is one of the first in the world to start this type of program but Bedwell says other ports around the globe have also started to adopt similar initiatives.
“Port Metro Vancouver has a similar program and the USA’s east and west coast are also coming up with these types of incentives. Wherever our ships are calling and as long as they are new enough to be able to participate and qualify we certainly make sure they do participate. You’ll start to see more of these programs popping up more and more around the world,” Bedwell said.
