NewsGreen recognition for Thames operators20th April 2021NewsThe first Thames Green Scheme accreditations, recognising vessel owners’ efforts to protect the environment, have been awarded to Kent-based GPS Marine and Jetstream Tours (20 April 2021). Launched by the Port of London Authority (PLA) last year, the initiative aims to help operators on the river in their work to improve their vessels’ green performance. Contracting company, GPS Marine, active along the length of the tidal Thames, is the first recipient of a silver award, while Rochester-based Jetstream Tours has been recognised with a bronze award. GPS Marine’s silver status reflects its pioneering work to trial technologies reducing emissions on the river, including the adoption of greener alternative diesel across its fleet of 16 tugs and the installation of post-combustion cleaning equipment. The company has also committed to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2040 and supports the litter charity Thames21. The bronze award for Jetstream Tours follows the company’s work to power its vessels using on-shore electric charging stations. As part of its mission to make its operations free of single-use plastics, onboard refreshments are served only in washable re-useable crockery, with no plastic bottles available to purchase. The company also supports the Living River Foundation, working to protect the ecology of the Thames and its tributary, the Medway. The rankings are based on the organisation’s environmental commitment and their vessels’ performance related to air quality, carbon emissions, energy use, water quality, litter and waste, with gold and platinum commendations also available. Veronica Chan, PLA senior air quality adviser, said: “The Thames Green Scheme is a great way of celebrating operators’ efforts to protect the planet and encourage others to follow suit, and helps customers choose cleaner options on the Thames to help the environment.” GPS recently commissioned the bunker barge Dispenser to deliver a new biofuel GreenD+ HVO from Dagenham’s Stolthaven Terminal to all its Thames fleet of tugs, along with other vessels on the river. John Spencer, managing director, said: “Green D+ HVO enables us to reduce pollution across the board. For example, it adds no fossil carbon to the atmosphere and cuts NOx and particulate emissions by 35 per cent and 85 per cent respectively. “A single cargo aboard one of 1600 class barges eliminates over 200 HGV tipper movements from London’s roads. “It’s great to have this Thames Green Scheme recognition of our pioneering efforts to improve the river environment.” Richard Bain, managing director of Jetstream Tours, said: “We are proud to have received this recognition from the PLA. As a business our aim is to showcase the natural environment, whilst also protecting it for the benefit of future generations. “We are actively looking at new ways of reaching Net Zero with our fleet. “Although a small family-run business, we are determined to play our part in creating a safer and more pleasant environment for all to enjoy.” The PLA’s own fleet has earned a silver ranking under the scheme, the result of our investment in Leader, the UK’s first hybrid cutter boat, which ferries pilots to and from visiting larger ships, to ensure their safe navigation, up and down the river. This summer, Driftwood II, a PLA vessel deployed to retrieve litter and obstructions from the river, will be fitted with a selective catalytic reduction system, to cut nitrogen oxide emissions. At Barrier Gardens Pier in Woolwich and Royal Terrace Pier in Gravesend, the PLA is introducing facilities enabling vessels to plug into on-shore electrical supplies, rather than running their engines, when alongside. It has also committed to cut carbon emissions by more than 60 per cent by 2025 and achieve Net Zero by 2040. Other PLA initiatives to improve air quality include a ground-breaking inland vessel emissions reduction roadmap. Find out more about the Thames Green Scheme.... Thames operators’ use of greener fuels is accelerating13th April 2021NewsAn independent monitoring study commissioned by the Port of London Authority, shows the adoption of green fuels — hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO) fuels, and gas to liquid (GTL), converted from natural gas — has significantly reduced emissions of particulate matter, compared to diesel, boosting air quality on the river. A reduction of 39 per cent or more in nitrogen oxides and a slight reduction in carbon dioxide at the point of use (during combustion of the fuel) were also recorded. The full report will be available on our website next month. We began trialling low-emission fuels in 2018. A programme to convert our fleet to HVO fuels started last year with our harbour patrol vessel, Kew. James Trimmer, our director of planning and environment, said: “The wider use of greener fuels is an important first step towards our target of Net Zero emissions on the river by 2050. “It also is a major step forward in meeting the emissions reduction targets outlined in our Air Quality Strategy.” GPS Marine’s Thames Tideway tug was the first in its fleet to convert to new biofuel Green D+, a type of HVO, last year. Vessels along the river can now refuel with GreenD+, via GPS Dispenser, a refurbished barge. John Spencer, CEO said: “We hope to set an example for other fleets to take environmental responsibility into their own hands.” Thames Marine Services has been supplying and promoting alternative cleaner fuels on the river for the past 18 months. Director Robert Dwan said: “We have worked on trials for both Shell GTL and Crown HVO. Feedback from our customers has been very positive who are now looking to switch their fleet over from diesel to cleaner fuels.”... Thames Green Scheme: Independent environmental performance indicator for inland waterways6th November 2020NewsThe Thames Green Scheme is an independent environmental performance indicator for inland waterways commercial and services operators to gauge their environmental performance across factors including air quality, carbon, energy, water quality, litter, and waste. It has been developed to support the inland waterways community in achieving the goals set by the updated Port Air Quality Strategy (PAQS) for the tidal Thames by the Port of London Authority in 2020, and Clean Maritime Plan published by Department for Transport in 2019 and the UK government’s Net Zero by 2050 commitment. Vessels and operators eligible to apply for assessment include coasters, workboats, service boats, tug, passenger vessels (Class V), dredgers, barges and tankers. Participating fleet operators will be scored on their corporate and vessel data and awarded a ‘tier’ correlating to their environmental performance. Depending on the score operators will be allocated to one of five tiers (bronze, silver, gold, diamond or platinum) and be able to display this to help customers make environmentally informed choices. Aims of the scheme The Thames Green Scheme aims to recognise the early adopters of new technologies and/or fuels to create a cleaner and healthier environment for people and wildlife. Specifically, it will: demonstrate the environmental benefits of Thames operations and to recognise the early adopters of new technologies and/or fuels that will reduce emissions to air; help customers and businesses pick “green” transport options that suit their needs and values; allow stakeholders to demonstrate their corporate social responsibility, drive environmental performance and promote sustainable business through joining the scheme as incentive providers. How it will work – for operators As an operator, the Green Scheme is a perfect way to showcase all the effort and work you put in to minimise the impact of your operations on the environment. All participants to use the Green Scheme endorsement logo in marketing and promotional material, allowing the public and customer to distinguish you as an environmentally friendly operator from others that are not as environmentally conscious. You can use the scheme as a tool to direct improvement in your environmental performance and become a leader in inland waterway transport best practice. To find your initial Green Scheme tier, you will need to enter both corporate and vessel data via the online portal. The corporate assessment will be look at the following areas: Environmental management: e.g. ISO 14001 standard, renewable energy Waste and litter management: e.g. recycling, storage Oil Spill management: e.g. spill kit, report Nuisance complaints management: e.g. noise, wash, black smoke, and light pollution Carbon footprint: e.g. calculation of carbon footprint, reduction target and action plan Involvement and awareness of wildlife conservation, new green technologies, and litter: e.g. social media, newsletter, research collaboration and sponsorship, new technology trials Each vessel will be assessed across three main areas: Air quality: e.g. engine standard, fuel type & emission abatement technologies Energy efficiency: e.g. behavioural and technical modifications to be energy efficient Black & greywater management, if applicable: e.g. reducing the generation of black and greywater Each company’s Green Scheme score will reflect corporate and vessels assessment scores How it will work – incentive providers We welcome any stakeholders, including ports, shipping organisations, marine service providers, and suppliers, to join the Green Scheme as an incentive provider, rewarding the early adopters of new technologies/approaches and driving better environmental performance. It is a perfect way to demonstrate their corporate social responsibility, drive environmental performance, and promote sustainable business. The incentive providers can define the eligibility and the type and level of incentive they wish to provide. Related Reports Best Practice Guidance for Inland Fleet Operators 2018 Air Quality Strategy 2020 Emissions Roadmap ... Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
