During the GreenPort Conference 2017 in Amsterdam, Isabelle Ryckbost, the European Sea Ports Organisation’s (ESPO) Secretary General, presented the ESPO sustainable agenda for the coming months. ESPO called, among others, for an efficient and responsible ship waste management policy and for a further CO2 reduction target.
Firstly, in preparation of the review of the existing legislative framework, ESPO underlines that incentive schemes to encourage ships to deliver their garbage at ports must be accompanied by a “right to deliver” that reflects the normal amounts a ship is delivering in a port.
“Marine litter is a serious problem and it is important to tackle the issue at the source by introducing measures to reduce waste production on board of ships and by equally addressing the other sea-based (fishing vessels and recreational craft) and land-based sources of litter. Overall, enforcement has to be stepped up by using the possibilities offered by new technologies.”
Further, ESPO asks for a VAT exemption for onshore power supply (OPS) used by ships at berth. This would bring OPS on equal footing with the electricity generated on board of ships that benefits from VAT exemption, take away an important disadvantage of using OPS and would further contribute to better air quality.
In addition, ESPO encourages IMO to build on the progress made at the last MEPC and deliver an initial CO2 reduction target accompanied by short-term measures in 2018.
“An urgently needed global agreement on a target and measures to reduce CO2 from shipping must be achieved by 2023. ESPO supports the submission by IAPH to the IMO.”
Finally, the Organisation asks for a strong Connecting Europe Facility for the period 2020-2027 to allow European ports to make the investments needed towards sustainability.
“ESPO believes that additional grants and other financial instruments are essential for decarbonising the ports, for making ports more resilient to the consequences of climate change and for helping ports to contribute to decarbonising the economy.”
