The Port of Antwerp is participating in the Clean North Sea Shipping (CNSS) project
The Port of Antwerp has announced that it is participating in a clean shipping project that aims to cut down on air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from vessels operating in the North Sea region of Europe.
The Clean North Sea Shipping (CNSS) project incorporates 18 partners from six countries, and is looking to raise awareness, share knowledge and convince influential stakeholders to take action and accountability relating to the environment.
Stakeholders include regional and European politicians, ports, shipping companies and cargo owners.
As part of the project, a new website gathering information on clean shipping technology has been launched by CNSS, covering both current and future legislation and technology, as well as economic and environmental benefits for the shipping industry and port authorities.
The website serves as a guide for existing nearby and long-term technological solutions to reduce carbon dioxides (CO2), sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in order to promote the development of a sustainable maritime transport system, with the “ultimate challenge” seen as developing and implementing zero emission technologies.
Maritime shipping is estimated to represent approximately 3% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, with maritime CO2 emissions expected to increase by two to three times by 2050 if no action is taken.
The initiative is not the only one being implemented within the region.
Last month, the North Sea Foundation informed Sustainable Shipping that it is getting ready to introduce the Clean Shipping Project’s environmental index tool to Germany.
The Clean Shipping Index (CSI) is a transparent tool that can be used by cargo owners to evaluate the environmental performance of their providers of sea transport.
Adam Currie, Vancouver News Desk, 30th September 2011 17:12 GMT
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