Port of Koper, a public limited company, which provides port and logistics services in the only Slovenian port, has revealed its plans to introduce reduced port fees for environmentally friendly ships.
As part of the projects of the International Association of Ports and Harbors, the port is preparing to introduce the Environmental Ship Index (ESI) system.
As explained, the ESI is a voluntary scheme used by ports to encourage and reward environmentally friendly and cleaner ships. It currently includes 56 ports and 6,840 ships, which, based on points, receive different amounts of concessions when paying port fees.
By introducing the ESI system, the port wants to attract as many ships as possible with eco-friendly engines and cleaner fuels, and in this way reduce emissions into the atmosphere.
“In light of this, we will allow ships with lower air pollutant emissions that are included in the ESI system to pay a lower port fee,” the Koper port stated.
The amount of discount is determined on the basis of scoring, which is carried out within the framework of the ESI scheme based on the standards of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The maximum number of points is 100, which is achieved by ships that do not emit exhaust gases during their mooring in the port, or whose emission values are negligible.
“Ships that score 50 or more points in the scheme will receive a 10 percent discount. The maximum one-time discount amount is €1,000,” the port explained.
Ships that are included in the ESI scheme and score from 30 to 49.9 points inclusive will be charged a fee reduced by 5 percent. The reduction scheme will come into effect from 1 January 2023.