Port of Antwerp grants discount for ‘green’ vessels

From 1 June 2015, the Port of Antwerp will grant a discount to seagoing vessels that use alternative technology to reduce particulate emissions.

The new discount will be in addition to the existing ESI discount, so in some cases, ships can benefit from a 30% reduction in port dues to be paid at Antwerp. With this discount, the Antwerp Port Authority seeks to encourage investments in green technologies for more sustainable shipping.

The discount is being introduced for a period of three years and will be gradually reduced.

LNG fuel

To meet stricter emissions standards in Sulfur Emission Control Areas (SECAs), ships must either improve the quality or type of fuel used (for example, by switching to low-sulfur fuel such as marine gas oil or LNG), or must install post-combustion systems (e.g. exhaust gas scrubbers) to reduce emissions to acceptable levels.

The use of LNG or scrubbers offers better environmental performance than low-sulfur fuel, since in addition to reducing sulfur emissions it also cuts other emissions such as particulates and nitrogen oxide (NO2).

Particulates discount

Ships can claim the discount as of 1 June 2015 if they can demonstrate that they either make effective use of scrubbers or are powered by LNG for a period of at least 24 hours before they call at the Port of Antwerp. Ships powered by LNG can receive a discount of 20%, while those that make use of closed scrubbers can get a discount of 15%.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/small-scale-lng/19052015/additional-discount-for-lng-vessels-in-antwerp-781/