New initiative aims to encourage more ships to switch to renewable power when in port
Carbon credit certification programme Gold Standard has teamed up with offshore ship charging specialist Stillstrom to launch a new initiative, which aims to encourage ships to use grid electricity and renewable power when docked at port rather than fossil fuel-generated power.
When ships are in port, they frequently continue to emit greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to harmful air pollution through the use of fossil-based shipping fuel to generate on-board power while docked. Ships can connect to the grid when in port, providing them with access to cleaner power, but their ability to do so is often restricted by limited grid capacity and a lack of grid connections.
To help tackle the problem Gold Standard announced yesterday it had launched a new methodology developed in partnership with Stillstrom, which allows developers of clean power projects and port-based grid technologies to issue carbon credits for the resulting reduction in emissions.
Under the methodology, the income from the carbon credit purchases would be used to fund the installation of green energy solutions for ships docked at ports, Gold Standard explained.
"This methodology is a stride towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for global trade," said Margaret Kim, CEO at Gold Standard. "It underlines our commitment to pioneering solutions that offer tangible incentives for the maritime sector to invest in green technologies. Together, we can chart a course towards a more sustainable horizon."
Stillstrom is aiming to have five of its proposed "green anchorage zones" up and running in Europe by 2030, where it plans to harness offshore wind to power charging technologies that can provide docked ships with clean power. The company said the plans aim to collectively cut an estimated 100,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year, while also resulting in improved air quality.
David Samad, co-founder and chief strategy officer of Stillstrom, said the new Gold Standard methodology would help to "significantly improve the commercial viability of delivering power to vessels offshore".
"This is a pioneering industry and we are issuing a call to action to all stakeholders to take part in decarbonising our local waters," he said.
Don't forget to get your entries in for this year's UK Green Business Awards ahead of the March 1st deadline.
