An increasing number of shipping lines are joining the Port of Gothenburg campaign for improved fuel quality. The latest member is Höegh Autoliners, which has registered seven vessels for participation in the campaign. The campaign will continue throughout the whole of 2013. Since 2011, the Port of Gothenburg has been running a campaign for a cleaner marine environment. The campaign means that vessels that switch to  low-sulphur fuel when operating in the Gothenburg port area will receive financial compensation.
To date, six shipping lines with 43 vessels have joined the campaign, resulting in substantial environmental gains. During 2012, the campaign is expected to contribute to a reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions in Gothenburg by 100 tonnes, which corresponds to nearly 20 per cent of the total emissions from shipping in Gothenburg. This will result in a cleaner marine environment and reduced particle emissions into the atmosphere.
The latest company to join the campaign is the Norwegian owned ro-ro operator Höegh Autoliners, which calls at the Port of Gothenburg every other week.
Trond Sjursen, Head of European Operations at Höegh Autoliners, said: "The Port of Gothenburg environmental campaign is a way for us to reduce our environmental footprint. This is an ongoing part of our operations. Switching to low-sulphur fuel is costly but the environmental campaign has made it easier for shipping lines to change."
Maersk Line, Thun Tankers Sweden AB, Topoil, OW Bunker and Stena Oil have also joined the campaign.
The Port of Gothenburg has levied a charge for many years on vessels with more than 0.5% sulphur in the fuel. In 2011, the Port Authority decided that revenue deriving from this part of the port charge would be reinvested in environmental campaigns. The campaign for cleaner marine environment will continue throughout 2013, during which time the port hopes that more companies will join the scheme.
Åsa Wilske is Senior Manager, Sustainability at the Port of Gothenburg: "Through this campaign we are seeking to encourage shipping lines to switch to low-sulphur marine fuel. We now hope that even more companies will join the campaign during 2013."
The campaign was designed in consultation with the Gothenburg Shipbrokers' Association, environmental organisations and several of the port's customers.
Source: Port of Gothenburg