Press release: EPI numbers 29 member ports, including its first from outside Norway

Dec 11

Since the Environmental Port Index (EPI) was established in 2017, with the aim of measuring the environmental impact from the cruise industry, its member ports have grown to 29 in number.

In the past year, seven more ports joined the EPI, including Faxafloahafnir/Port of Reykjavik which was the first port outside Norway to join.

Implementing the Environmental Port Index into Faxaports operations for 2023 was crucial in sustaining our commitment towards our strategic pillar regarding green port operations. Faxaports have become a key turnaround TEN-T port in the North Atlantic and as such we have an obligation from 2030 regarding onshore power, where the EPI will be an important link towards our goals and commitments.

Sigurður Jökull Ólafsson, Marketing Manager, Faxaports, Port of Reykjavik

Several Icelandic and North Atlantic ports have now followed. From the beginning of 2023, over 2,500 reports (port stays) have been made and a huge amount of data has been collected. Almost 200 (197) cruise vessels are now registered in the system and the average score has gone from 40 to 45, where 100 is the best possible score.

This year marked an increase in cruise traffic in EPI affiliated ports by 23%. Based on data collected from the ports, the trend shows that 2023 saw a significant increase of cleaner fuels. In 2022, around 5% of the fuel used was LNG, but for 2023 this has increased to 20%.

Due to exhaust cleaning technologies NOx emissions per port stay has been reduced by 24% and SOx emissions per port stay reduced by 47% compared to a baseline of expected emissions. Since the first operational year in 2019, the average EPI score has increased by 15 percentage points, from 30% to 45%.

The average EPI score continues in an upwards trend from start-up. This shows that the ship operators makes an effort to accommodate the EPI mission.

Elisabeth Drægebø, Senior Consultant & Business Development Leader, DNV

Future development:

For 2024 the plan is to develop a new and updated web site. This will be a unique opportunity for our member ports to showcase their work regarding sustainable development.
Information available on the website will be easier to understand and communicate.
API’s will be available for ports to integrate data to their own web pages.
The EPI portal as a platform for more information regarding each individual port stay, period of time and detailed emission data. This will have the opportunity to download.
Develop EPI to be the preferred tool for the ports own environmental reporting.
Other parameters to measure environmental impact are constantly discussed.
Include more ports in the portfolio.
Potential pilots for other ship types and for new geographical areas.

Since 2019, the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) has expanded to 29 ports, reducing cruise ship environmental impact with 15%. This success is credited to fleet renewal, crew training, transparency, and strong port incentives. Join us in fostering a shared dialogue among ports and ship owners for improved operational practices and minimized environmental impact in port cities and other destinations.

Even Husby, CEO, EPI

Background

The Environmental Port Index (EPI) was established in 2017 with the aim of measuring the environmental impact from the cruise industry. It has been developed by several Norwegian ports with support from DNV and selected cruise line representatives. One of the aims is to have facts and documentation to easy communicate to media, politicians, and the public.

As well as being a source of documentation, EPI can also be used as a foundation for an incentive system to motivate good performance and environmental measures taken by the visiting ship. The visiting cruise ship is rated from 0-100 based on their environmental performance and environmental impact. 100 is the best possible score.

Environmental Port Index won the Seatrade Cruise Awards as the best sustainable initiative in 2022.