The Slovenian port of Koper will reduce port fees for environmentally friendly ships
Luka Koper, a joint-stock company that provides port and logistics services in Slovenia’s only port, has revealed plans to introduce reduced port fees for environmentally friendly ships.
The port is preparing for the introduction of the Environmental Ship Index (ESI) system as part of the projects of the International Association of Ports and Harbors.
As explained, 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 receive varying amounts of concessions on the payment of port fees based on points.
With the introduction of the ESI system, the port wants to attract as many ships as possible with environmentally friendly engines and cleaner fuels and in this way reduce emissions into the atmosphere.
“Accordingly, we will allow ships with lower air pollutant emissions that are included in the ESI system to pay a lower port fee,” announced from the Port of Koper.
The amount of the discount is determined on the basis of scoring, which is carried out within the framework of the ESI scheme according to 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 while moored in the port or whose emission values are negligible.
“Ships that score 50 or more points in the scheme will receive a 10% discount. The maximum one-time discount amount is €1,000,” luka explained.
Ships participating in the ESI scheme and scoring between 30 and 49.9 points inclusive will be charged a fee reduced by 5 percent. The reduction scheme will take effect from 1 January 2023.