NY-NJ to pay ships US$4.8 million to pollute less and slow down

THE Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) will pay ship operators US$4.8 million Clean-Vessel Incentive fund to reduce air pollution and speed in within 20 nautical miles from the harbour.

The programme aims to offer financial incentives to improve ship engines, use cleaner fuel and upgrade technology to reduce emissions.

The scheme works on the basis of scoring 20 points or more based on the World Port Climate Initiative's Environmental Ship Index, a United Nations mechanism that awards points to ships exceeding environmental standards set by the UN's International Maritime Organisation.

This is combined with another mechanism awarding points to vessels that slow down to less than 10 knots 20 nautical miles from harbour limits.

PANYNJ expects 600 vessels a year to compete for points, thus having New York join 14 European ports and the Port of Los Angeles that have an ESI schemes.