• 07 Nov 2016

Port of Barcelona has announced the launch of a pioneering initiative which supports the use of LNG bunkers and implements a discount for cleaner ships as well as replaces the port’s internal fleet with electric vehicles. Approved by the Port’s Management Board and put to the Table on Air Quality in the Barcelona Conurbation, the Air Quality Improvement Plan focuses on promoting LNG as an alternative fuel for ships, terminal machinery and trucks as its use can cut NOx emissions by 80% and stop particulate and sulphur oxide emissions as well.

Port activity is considered to be responsible for 7.6% of average annual concentrations of NOx emissions in the city and over 1.5% of particulate matter. Furthermore, container ships are responsible for 1.7% of the annual average concentration of NOx in the Catalan capital, with other cargo ships representing 2%, ferries 1.4% and cruise ships 1.2%.

Both initiatives will receive EU funding, as they are part of the CORE LNGas Hive project cofinanced by the European Union.

Regarding the environmental discounts on ships’ fees, the port is of the opinion that discount applied to port fees is a fundamental instrument for bringing about change in the vessels.

The law currently allows a maximum environmental discount for ships of 5 percent, but the port authority, which calls this a "very small margin for building an ambitious environmental strategy," is looking for an increase.

"The Port of Barcelona will ask the Ministry to amend the Ports Law in order to implement environmental discounts of up to 40 percent of ships' fees, just like the ports of northern Europe (Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp)," said José Alberto Carbonell, Port General Manager “and with the new regulations, the Port of Barcelona aims to more effectively attract cleaner ferries, cruise ships and cargo ships.”