Providers of large-scale transport infrastructure are under increasing pressure to regulate the behavior of their users, in particular towards sustainable development objectives related to the environment. Just like airport managing companies apply environmental factors such as noise emission parameters of aircraft into their airline pricing schemes, port authorities have been applying various schemes to provide green incentives to their users, mainly shipping lines, to reduce the environmental impacts of their operations. The main driver for these developments are the global climate objectives set out during global climate conferences (Kyoto 1997 and follow-up meetings, and more recently COP 21 in Paris) where maritime transport has been identified as a significant contributor to air emissions.
At present, according to IMO research, maritime shipping is held accountable for 2.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with an increase foreseen of 50% to 250%, by 2050. The potential reduction to be achieved both by operational measures and investments in new technology, according to IMO studies, amounts to 75%.
PortEconomics member Michael Dooms, along with Magali Geerts (University of Brussels) addressed the issue of Green port infrastructure pricing in a viewpoint published in the 70th edition of Port Technology International (May 2016). Follow the link to download it.
