Preparing an Environmental Ship Index

Rotterdam, July 2008: At the World Ports Climate Conference, the representatives of 55 maritime locations signed a declaration in which they undertook to make independent efforts towards reducing global warming. The objective is to reduce the emission of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide by maritime shipping, in port operations and hinterland transport.
bremenports regards the Rotterdam resolution as confirmation of its own policies. The company already contributes its expertise to various research projects which investigate strategies for adjusting to the regional consequences of climate change. In future, the port and logistics industries will also be faced with severe challenges in that connection.

In Rotterdam, it was also agreed to make more use of renewable energies. The ports also intend to find intelligent  solutions for relieving the burden on the environment.

The ports on the Weser are concentrating on the following projects:

Relief for clean vesselsExperts from bremenports and the Senate Department for Economic Affairs and Ports are currently working on an Environmental Ship Index. An independent institute is to determine and document the ecological standard of the vessels. Bremen is developing the new concept not merely as a theoretical exercise, but in consultation with the North range ports of Le Havre, Antwerp, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Hamburg. Ships which are particularly environment friendly could in future benefit from a bonus system when calling at Bremen's ports.

Certified environment managementThe twin ports on the Weser plan to introduce a certified environment management system. This would be a steering instrument which could help to reduce carbon dioxide emissions even further.

Carbon footprint The experts are also investigating how a carbon footprint could be established for Bremen and Bremerhaven. This would provide valuable data which could serve as clear proof of the ecological development at the quays.