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Last year more environmentally friendly ve[ds_preview]ssels has reached the port of Gothenburg. One in three ships received an environmental discount on the port charges. That means an increase of 83%.

According to Port of Gothenburg heading the discount list are Donsö-based tanker companies Tärntank Ship Management and Furetank, whose vessels are powered by liquefied natural gas.

The Port of Gothenburg rewards vessels that are environmental high performers. One in three vessels that called at the largest port in Scandinavia last year were classified as green according to the industry environmental indexes. In total, 75 vessels received a discount of 10 % on the port charges compared to 41 in 2015.

The discount is based on two separate environmental indexes, Environmental Ship Index and Clean Shipping Index (see fact file below). Vessels that have a score of at least 30 according to ESI, or which are classified as green according to CSI, receive a 10 % discount on the port charges.

Two tankers reaches the maximum discount

An additional discount is available for vessels that run on liquefied natural gas (LNG). By using LNG as a marine fuel, emissions of sulphur and particles are reduced to almost zero and nitrogen oxide emissions by 85-90 %. There is also a substantial reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. In total, these vessels receive a 30 % discount each time they call Port of Gothenburg stated. In 2016, two vessels received the maximum discount. These were »Ternsund« and »Fure West«, owned by Donsö-based shipping companies Tärntank Ship Management and Furetank.

The current environmental discount was first introduced on January 1, 2015. Another similar environmental reward system was in place prior to that. The aim is for shipping companies to be encouraged to mitigate their environmental impact in a way that goes beyond laws and regulations.
According to the port now it is even simpler for shipping companies to secure a discount. Previously, companies were required to register their vessels with Port Control at the Port of Gothenburg. With effect from January 1, 2017, registration takes place automatically when vessels call at the port. Vessels running on LNG will still need to report to the Gothenburg Port Authority to secure the discount.