Award for outstanding sustainability achievements
For years, the Green Focus Award has been an annual fixture at the Ports of Bremen and beyond. Every year since 2014, bremenports has awarded the prize to actors who assume responsibility and provide fresh impetus for sustainability.
The award is presented to environmentally friendly ships and shipping companies as well as individuals who are particularly committed to sustainability. The award highlights what forward-looking action can achieve in the maritime business.
Nominations
Anyone who has made a special contribution to the field of ports and sustainability can be nominated for the Green Focus Award in the "Engagement" category.
The "Cleanest Ship" and "Cleanest Fleet" categories cover all ships that are recorded in the arrivals list by the port charges office and that have reported an ESI score on arrival at the ports of Bremen. This ensures that all relevant and transparently documented data are taken into account.
Determination of the winners
The winner of the Green Focus Award in the "Engagement" category is decided by a jury of experts who review the nominations and select the most convincing candidate.
The winners are determined on the basis of the Environmental Ship Index (ESI) from the previous year. To do so, the average values for the total port calls by a ship or fleet are calculated. These figures are automatically provided by the port charges software.
The prizes
The award is ceremoniously presented as part of ENVOCONNECT. In addition to this public ceremony, bremenports offsets the CO₂ emissions for one port call at the Ports of Bremen by the winning ship. The resulting contribution to climate protection is used to promote measures aimed at reducing emissions in non-profit, social and cultural institutions and thus helps to promote tangible climate protection beyond the ports themselves.
Environmental Ship Index (ESI) at the Ports of Bremen
The Environmental Ship Index (ESI) is an international standard developed by the North-West Range ports as part of the World Port Climate Initiative (WPCI). The index enables comparison and evaluation of ship emissions. The ESI consists of partial scores for emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, and carbon dioxide. Additional points are awarded if a ship is equipped with a shore power connection. The ESI score ranges from 0 to 100, where zero corresponds to the limits set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Scores above 0 therefore mean that the vessel outperforms the legal requirements.
The Environmental Ship Index is a voluntary, international scoring system that allows ports to offer advantages for environmentally friendly seagoing vessels. The owners register their ships and receive corresponding certificates and proof. The Ports of Bremen have offered an ESI-based bonus programme since 2012. This grants a discount on port fees to environmentally friendly seagoing and inland waterway vessels. Since 2020, there has also been a financial bonus as part of the "ESI Noise".
Nomination in the "Engagement" category
Would you like to nominate a person in the "Engagement" category? If so, complete the form or contact us by email or phone. We look forward to receiving your suggestions and to learning about committed individuals who are actively shaping sustainability in the port sector.
The submission deadline is 30 June 2026.
I nominate the following person
The winners of the Green Focus Awards
Sustainability that sets standards
Representing more than a decade of award-winning performance, the following overview shows the winners of the Green Focus Awards since 2023.
In addition to the established categories “Cleanest Ship” and “Cleanest Fleet,” the award continues to evolve and in 2024, the “Commitment” category was introduced specifically to recognize exceptional individual commitment to sustainability. In 2025, a special award was added in the “Cleanest Cruise Ship” category - sending a clear signal for rising standards in the cruise segment.
Dr. Alexander David
Winner “Commitment” 2025
The award in the “Commitment” category went to Dr Alexander David from Fischereihafen-Betriebsgesellschaft mbH (FBG). Together with Ralf Finck (FROSTA), he plays a key role in shaping the Fischereihafen Climate Cooperation (CCF) and is responsible for technical management of the project on behalf of FBG. With solid expertise, personal dedication, and a strong cooperative approach he is committed to making the Fischereihafen climate-neutral by 2030.
Auto Advance
Winner “Cleanest Ship” 2025
In the “Cleanest Ship” category, the car carrier “Auto Advance” prevailed with an outstanding ESI score of 82.77 points. The vessel is equipped with battery-hybrid propulsion, LNG and biofuel technologies and belongs to the shipping company United European Car Carriers (UECC).
The “Auto Advance” impressed the jury with its innovative technology and multiple port calls in Bremerhaven
NYK Line
Winner “Cleanest Fleet” 2025
The “Cleanest Fleet” category was won by the Japanese traditional shipping company NYK Line. With an average ESI score of 64.6 points and a total of eleven port calls, it narrowly surpassed UECC.
NYK demonstrates its commitment to climate protection, decarbonization, and innovative propulsion technologies amongst other things with LNG-powered vessels and even the world’s first commercially operated ammonia-fuelled ship.
Amadea
Winner of the Special Award “Cleanest Cruise Ship” 2025
The well-known TV cruise ship “Amadea” took first place in the special category “Cleanest Cruise Ship”. The 193-metre vessel, managed by Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), called at the ports of Bremen 13 times in 2024 and achieved an ESI score of 61.8 points.
Despite the vessel’s age, the shipowner makes continuous investments in technology and environmental standards - most recently with an SCR catalytic system that meets strict Norwegian emission standards.
Prof. Dr. Ing. Benjamin Wagner vom Berg
Winner “Commitment” 2024
Professor Benjamin Wagner has long been closely connected to the Ports of Bremerhaven and Bremen. He is committed to reducing emissions in logistics, supervises academic theses, initiates research projects, and is a member of the select committee appointed by Bremen’s parliament.
He also supports the Association of Industrial Engineers for Transportation on a voluntary basis and advocates the inclusion of persons with disabilities. Such dedication definitely deserves acknowledgement and this was recognized by the jury of the Green Focus Awards.
Auto Advance
Winner “Cleanest Ship” 2024
In the "Cleanest Ship" category, the car carrier "Auto Advance" prevailed. The RoRo transporter, operated by the shipping company United European Car Carriers (UECC), convinced the jury thanks to its battery-hybrid drive and an excellent ESI score of 80.1 points.
NYK Line
Winner “Cleanest Fleet” 2024
The "Cleanest Fleet" award went to CMA CGM in recognition of its commitment. As a global provider of sea, land, air and logistics solutions, the company has been investing in decarbonization for years and is pursuing the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The use of LNG as fuel is primarily responsible for the good fleet scores. In 2023, for example, the container ships Aurora (ESI 89.77), Arctic (ESI 87.13) and Borealis (ESI 70.11) calling at Bremerhaven boasted excellent environmental performance.
Containerships Stellar
Winner “Cleanest Ship” 2023
The container ship "CONTAINERSHIPS STELLAR" operated by the shipping company CMA CGM led the ranking of ships that called at the Ports of Bremen in 2022 with an ESI score of 77.16 points, winning the Green Focus Award in the "Cleanest Ship" category in 2023.
CMA GGM
Winner “Cleanest Fleet” 2023
CMA CGM also won the "Cleanest Fleet" category in 2023. With an ESI score of 59.76 points, the shipping company led the field. The fleet already has 32 particularly low-emission biomethane and e-methane-capable ships. In the future, this will be further expanded, including dual-fuel container ships that can be powered by low-carbon methanol.
