The agreement includes the management of a database of more than 8,400 ships and 59 incentive suppliers already registered on the index.

The Environmental Ship Index Portal (ESI) allows ports and other stakeholders, under the auspices of the IAPH World Ports Sustainability Program, to encourage ships to use cleaner engines and preferential treatment fuels, offered either by discounts on port dues, incentives or other benefits commensurate with a specified level of cleanliness.

ESI is a voluntary tool which involves a formula-based assessment of the emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulphur oxide (SOx) from vessels.

The calculation also rewards ships that are designed to use available onshore power and that display increases in fuel efficiency over time, reducing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matter (PM).

Right now, the strongest representation we have on the Index comes from the container shipping sector, with over half of the world fleet registered. Tankers (gas, chemical and oil) are also well represented with 28% of the world fleet. The focus will be on growing the number of registered dry bulk and general cargo vessels as well as ro-ro and cruise vessels," said Antonis Michail, IAPH Technical Director.

Founded in 1994, the Green Award is a national, independent, non-profit quality assurance organization with the primary task of certifying the safety, quality and environmental performance of ship managers and vessels that go beyond industry standards.

The Foundation works in close cooperation with the maritime authorities and classification societies and provides Equasis with data.

Green Award has been a member of the IAPH Environmental Ship Index and an incentive provider, having partnered with the working group since its establishment back in 2011.

IAPH, which was established in 1955, is a global non-profit alliance of 170 ports and 140 port-related organizations spanning 90 countries. More than 60 per cent of global maritime trade and about 80 per cent of world container traffic is handled by its member ports.

Maritime Business World