How ports can drive the shipping decarbonisation and catalyse the implementation of green and digital shipping corridors
Ports and terminals are well placed to be the catalyst for decarbonisation and improved air quality from shipping through port incentive schemes, as well as provision of alternative and/or low carbon fuel infrastructure and supply across green shipping corridors.
Various examples of ports and countries stipulating individual stringent environmental protection criteria can be seen across the world, ranging from restricted incinerator use in Italian waters, biofouling requirements in New Zealand and Australia, NOx taxes in Norway, or pre-arrival reporting requirements in the Port of Los Angeles.
Since the establishment of the Clydebank Declaration in 2021, many partnerships are starting to form to develop green shipping corridor development with the aim of supporting a just and inclusive transition into low, ultra-low and zero-emission fuels. 21 green shipping corridor routes have emerged around the world and more than 110 stakeholders from across the value chain are engaged in these initiatives, and a significant level of public-private collaboration can be seen.
Figure 4. 21 Green Shipping Corridors initiatives by end of 2022 (Annual Progress Report on Green Shipping Corridors 2022). Source: Global Maritime Forum
Examples include the announcement from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Port of Long Beach, Port of Los Angeles, C40 Cities, and Port of Rotterdam on their partnership on establishment of digital green shipping corridors. Green shipping corridors will allow ambitious governments to act together to demonstrate maritime decarbonisation and air quality improvements are possible, whilst also unlocking new business opportunities and socio-economic benefits for communities, such as increased jobs, improved health and wellbeing, and reduced supply chain disruptions across the globe.
These partnerships may prove valuable as the current approach to port incentives is somewhat disjointed, with over 60 incentive schemes in existence promoting better ship management in return for reduced fees. Such varied schemes can result in vessels realising benefits in some ports only to incur costs in others.
Additionally, varying incentives creates an administrative burden on vessels and ports (incentive-schemes-promoting-green-shipping-ip.pdf (nrdc.org)). The schemes include, but are not limited to, RightShip’s GHG Rating, the Environmental Ship Index, Clean Shipping Index, and Green Award.
Introducing harmonised port incentives for ships transiting green corridors and facilitating a ‘single window’ point of information for port access would reduce administrative burdens and improve efficiency.
Through identifying alternative, low and zero carbon fuels across a green shipping corridor, ports can also provide the signal for developing infrastructure and supply of alternative fuels and thus become an energy hub for zero-carbon fuel, which can then expand out to localised shipping.
Finally, ports can apply digital solutions to minimise vessel traffic congestion around port areas and improve operational efficiency, thus reducing CO2 and improving air quality.
