Hamburg launches green fee system to promote clean vessels

In accordance with the current coalition agreement and air pollution control plan of the Hamburg Senate, a new fee rating system, featuring an environmental component, will be introduced in the port of Hamburg.

Based on IAPP (International Air Pollution Prevention) certificates to be presented by port users, a part of the port fee will categorically be calculated based on environmental impacts in the future.

The new environmental component is generated at the expense of the BRZ component. There will be surcharges on the basic price when a vessel cannot present such an IAPP certificate or when emission levels are comparably poor. At the same time, there will be discounts when a vessel is rated as very clean based on the IAPP certificate.

Over the coming years, findings on the developments shall be made and the importance of the environmental component shall definitely be expanded. The already existing five environmental discounts for especially clean vessels remain and will be allocated to this environmental component.

The port claims that the positive response to the incentives is visible in the use of the Environmental Ship Index Environmental discount (ESI). Almost 6.000 vessels are already ESI-certified globally, and most recently, almost every fifth call to the Port of Hamburg was not only slightly but considerably cleaner than required by law.

    “Our tariff and environmental policy sends a clear signal to the citizens of Hamburg, the shipping companies, and port industries. We aim to sustainably contribute to the air pollution control and ensure that Hamburg remains attractive as a port of call,” says Tino Klemm, Chief Financial Officer HPA.

The reductions for especially large vessels and transshipment will be continued and the cap will not be increased either, the port informed.