The town of Ísafjörður has announced its intention to introduce an environmental rating system for cruise ships next year, reports RÚV.
If all goes according to plan, the Ísafjörður Port Authority will begin implementing the Environmental Port Index next year. The Harbour Master emphasized the need for such regulation, as ever-increasing numbers of cruise ships have raised pollution concerns for the community.
The Environmental Port Index (EPI) is based on a Norwegian model with the goal of reducing pollution while in harbour. The EPI is based on calculations for environmental impact that take into account CO2, SO2, and NOx. By establishing a ship’s maximum tolerable impact, a comprehensive report is collected which includes the ship’s fuel consumption, emission levels, and power usage at port. This report is then submitted for further environmental assessment.
According to Ísafjörður Harbour Master Hilmar Kristjánsson Lyngmo, “we want to measure emissions other pollution from the ships. It accumulates over the harbour and all of the town as well. It’s also good to be in line with the other harbours in Iceland, that there’s the same rating system in the harbours.”
The matter was discussed at a meeting of the Harbour Authority yesterday. Efforts are now underway to research the cost of implementation of the new system.
Hilmar continued: “As I see it, this could be put into effect by next year. But it’s becoming a bit tight within this timeframe.”
