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Germany launches world's first ship ecolabel
26th November 2002
ENDS - Environment Daily
Pollution and safety standards dominate the world's first green label for cargo ships and oil tankers launched last week by the German environment agency under the Blue Angel scheme. The new label was simultaneously awarded for the first time to Swedish operator Södra for three cargo vessels.
Environmental criteria that ships must meet to qualify for the label include reduced sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate emissions and better waste management systems. Hull stress monitoring and provision of emergency towing equipment are among the safety criteria specified.
Södra included low NOx and SO2 emissions in its tenders for the three vessels receiving the label, the environment agency said. One of the ships is the first in the world to carry catalytic NOx reduction equipment, it added. This is designed to cut NOx emissions by 95%.
The label's launch coincides with publication by the European Commission of a new EU strategy on air pollution from shipping, aiming at cutting SO2 and particulate emissions in the short term and NOx and other impacts longer-term (ED 21/11/02).
The proposal also includes an award scheme which will aim to promote low-pollution shipping and spread best practice.
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