The Port of Rotterdam Authority has launched a new financial scheme supporting projects intended to reduce the shipping sector’s CO2 emissions.

As of today, interested parties can apply for funding via the Incentive Scheme Climate-Friendly Shipping. The scheme runs until the end of 2022.

The port authority has made EUR 5 million (USD 5.7 million) available to this end.

“We wish to play an active part in the reduction of CO2 emissions generated by the shipping sector. Through this scheme, we are able to give various parties just that extra financial push they need to realise a concrete project in this area,” Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, explained.

Shippers, shipping companies, fuel manufacturers and suppliers, engine manufacturers and service providers are invited to take advantage of the new scheme which is intended to promote projects and demonstrations that make use of low-carbon or zero-carbon fuels delivered in Rotterdam’s port area.

According to the Port of Rotterdam Authority, one of its ambitions is to help decarbonize the logistics chains that run via Rotterdam. Through this scheme, the port authority intends to contribute to the realization of climate policy targets in the Netherlands and worldwide.

The incentive scheme aligns with the goals set out in the World Ports Climate Action Program, which was launched in September 2018. In this partnership, the port authorities of Hamburg, Barcelona, Antwerp, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Vancouver and Rotterdam are working together on projects intended to reduce the shipping sector’s contribution to global warming.