Port of Suape offers discount to low-polluting vessels

Port of Suape is backing efforts to reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere, offering a discount of up to 60% in port tariffs for ships emitting less carbon into the atmosphere. The port complex is now part of a select team of moorings worldwide that have joined the Environmental Ship Index (ESI).

The measure considers the current standards required by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It identifies ships reducing emissions of atmospheric effluents such as nitrogen oxide (NOX) and sulfur oxide (SOX) and evaluating the energy efficiency of their operations.

Vessels that dock in Port of Suape and whose parameters are higher than those established by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) will now have access to a different port tariff. Suape directive 005/2021 describes the rules for requesting the tariff discount, which varies from 10% to 60%.

According to the Economic Development Secretary, Geraldo Julio, joining the ESI will allow the port complex to improve its image on the world market. “By adhering to the Environmental Ship Index (ESI), Suape will subsidize vessels that pollute less, prioritize contracts that protect the ecosystem, and signal to the global market that the port is an attractive investment. The port is attractive not only for its differentiated infrastructure but also for what it considers essential when closing deals – sustainability,” he highlighted.

The index points out the different types of vessels in an environmental suitability ranking, taking into account the gases emitted by the ship. Suape can assess whether the arriving vessel is registered in the system and evaluate its performance score concerning the environmental adequacy parameters necessary to reach the reduced tariff. ESI is a project led by the World Ports Sustainability Program (WPSP), linked to the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH).

The indicator is one of the items evaluated in the Environmental Performance Index (IDA) provided by ANTAQ (the national waterway transport agency), which establishes a classification of environmental management promoted by the Brazilian Port Authorities. In 2019, Suape moved up to the eighth place, with a score of 85.40, among 31 public facilities evaluated.

The maritime transport sector is still known for significant emissions of harmful substances generated by exhaust gases produced in ships’ boilers and engines. According to the ESI website, 8,426 vessels were registered in the system by July 2020 worldwide. In Latin America, ports in Panama, Brazil, and Argentina are part of the program.

ESI was created in 2011 by the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), based in Tokyo, Japan, establishing measures under the World Ports Climate Initiative (WPCI), which aims to promote lower emissions of greenhouse gases in the waterway transport modal.

Source: Folha de Pernambuco

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