Europe’s environmental port experts have gathered in Amsterdam for the 12thth edition of the GreenPort Conference. Isabelle Ryckbost, ESPO’s Secretary General ESPO = European Sea Ports Organisation), took the opportunity to present the sustainable agenda for the coming months. The following five priorities were identified
- European ports call for an efficient but responsible ship waste management policy. Ports do not want to be responsible for unreasonable amounts of garbage.
- European ports ask for a VAT exemption for onshore power supply (OPS) used by ships at berth.
- ESPO asks for a strong Connecting Europe Facility for the period 2020-2027 to allow European ports to make the investments needed towards sustainability.
- European ports encourage IMO to build on the progress made at the last MEPC and deliver an initial CO2 reduction target accompanied by short-term measures in 2018. An urgently needed global agreement on a target and measures to reduce CO2 from shipping must be achieved by 2023.
- ESPO would like to start the reflection on a review of the first Code of Practice on the societal integration of European ports, which was published in 2010. What is it about? Many cities are increasingly over-stretched and in need of more housing. They have their eye on the port area. At the same time, many ports are seeking to expand.
