Pacific International Lines (PIL) announced that it has successfully attained Environmental Ship Index (ESI) certification for its fleet comprising of half a million TEUs. ESI certification is an initiative led by by the World Ports Sustainability Program (WPSP), in which ship owners enroll their ships, indicating that they exceed the basic standard set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
According to PIL, this is a major milestone for the Singaporean shipowner ahead of the transition towards the global sulphur cap 2020 from 1 January next year.
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To qualify for ESI certification, ships must present that their emission level of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and Sulphur Oxide (SOx) and Carbon Oxide (CO2) is well below what is allowed by the IMO.
This would be an indicator of the environmental performance of the ocean-going vessels and will encourage the adoption of green vessels. Many shipping companies have since taken part in this program and this effort is well-recognised by many ports in the world including US, Europe and Asia.
The International Association for Ports and Harbours (IAPH) established the WPSP in 2017, aiming to enhance and coordinate future sustainability efforts of ports worldwide as well as fostering international cooperation with partners in the supply chain.
Teo Siong Seng, Executive Chairman and MD of PIL, commented on the development, saying that:
Sustainability will remain a key part of how we conduct our business and we take protecting our maritime and port environment very seriously. We are doing this not just for ourselves but for the next generation who will be inheriting this earth from us
