The Environmental Port Index
The Environmental Port Index was launched in 2020, as a reporting tool for monitoring the environmental impact of ships during port visits.
Today, the EPI has grown into an international network of ports and ship operators; all working to create the most transparent and sustainable future possible for our industry, people and planet.
The impact of the Environmental Port Index
EPI reporting uses the build specifications of ships to calculate the ‘baseline’ impact each type of vessel is expected to have while at quay.
Comparing the baseline for each ship to the EPI data gathered during port calls makes it easy to see which ships are outperforming their baselines, and which are not.
Since the launch of the EPI, we have already seen a significant positive trend in the operational sustainability of ships calling at EPI partner ports.
The importance of policy makers: Port of Flåm and Port of Vik
We cannot transform our industry alone. By comparing the EPI data for two of our partner ports at Flåm and Vik in Norway, we can see how important local policy makers are in creating positive change. Together, the EPI and local policy changes have had a significant impact on ship owner behaviour in this region.
Port of Flåm
Due to local policy changes, it is no longer permitted for ships with poor environmental performance to enter the fjord area leading to Flåm. In addition, Port of Flåm has used EPI data to introduce a “polluters pay more” sustainability incentive system for ships.
Port of Vik
Ship owners with poor environmental performance are now calling at the nearby port of Vik and transferring passengers to Flåm over land. Port of Vik has not yet introduced an incentive system base on EPI data, and there is no local policy preventing access by polluting ships.
Comparing EPI scores
The impact of local policy changes and the new incentive system can be seen clearly when comparing the overall EPI scores for Port of Flåm and Port of Vik.
Looking to the horizon
The EPI was created to monitor ship air emissions during port calls, but we want to expand on this moving forward.
For example, emission ‘scrubbers’ have had a positive impact on the air pollution of ships. However, the emissions removed from the air are sometimes released into the water. This is one of several areas we are focussed on exploring as the EPI network grows.
