Why the Green Award is worth consideration for you as a ship owner

A few years ago we wrote a blog about this subject and we interviewed Ad Schroot. He contributed to the creation of the Green Award for inland waterway vessels and we asked him eight questions to get more information about this topic. Need to refresh your mind? Read our blog ‘With a zero-emission seal one step closer to a Green Award’.

Ad Schroot - “If a ship has the Green Award certification, it shows that it’s more environmentally friendly and sustainable”

The Green Award was introduced in 1994 to stimulate the quality and safety of sea-going ships. Originally it started as a certificate for oil tankers, chemical tankers, LNG and LPG tankers and container ships, but since 2011 the Green Award is also available for inland vessels. The program turned out to be a great success: until now the award attracted 590 European inland vessels and the support of commercial organisations.

Since 1 January 2017 the Green Award certificate is also available for inland passenger vessels, such as ferries, river cruise ships and day cruisers. The requirements for passenger transport are similar to the program for inland vessels that transport goods, but there is extra attention for safety and environment. Ships that have a catering or overnight accommodation need at least the Green Key certificate on bronze level.

Why is a green award certificate important for you?

First of all because it supports a cleaner environment. But there are more benefits to this voluntary participation. Ship owners receive a discount on port dues in the countries that are member of the Green Award. The following countries have harbors that support this initiative: