Green Award for 500th barge
The Green Award Foundation, a scheme developed to promote quality inland shipping, has certified the 500th inland barge, marking a major milestone in the industry.
The 500th certified inland barge, Imperial Gas 91, comes from Germany, which Green Award says is no surprise. Currently, 37 inland navigation vessels sailing under the German flag are certified by the Green Award Foundation. Twenty-two of these are inland barges managed by Imperial Shipping Holding GmbH.
Set up in 1994, the scheme certifies ships and ship managers that prove their dedication to high quality, safety and environmental standards. Advantages for ships holding the certificate include image improvement and a number of financial benefits.
Currently, 15 ports in the Netherlands and Belgium provide discounts on port dues to Green Award-certified inland barges. There are also two major banks and an insurance company that compensate 50% of the certification costs to their clients participating in the award programme.
As of today, the majority of participating ports are Dutch, but Green Award says it’s committed to cooperate with Belgian, German and other European ports.
In addition, the foundation says it hopes more charterers will employ more “green” ships.
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