The Freeport of Riga: Green Award incentive provider

The Freeport of Riga Authority intends to provide a 10% discount on crude oil operations for oil tankers certified by Green Award. On Thursday, August 19, at 19:00 during the official reception at the Latvian National Opera opening The Riga Port 810 Anniversary celebration, Mr. Ainārs Šlesers (board chairman, Freeport of Riga) will receive a Green Award plaque from Mr. Jan Fransen (Managing Director of Green Award) to mark the occasion of the official participation of the port of Riga in the scheme.

The Green Award Foundation has as its objective, the stimulation of safety and environmentally aware conduct of ship-owners, crew and ship. Green Award is independent and impartial, and since 1994 has focused on the worldwide certification of sea-going vessels. Sea-going vessels from 20.000 DWT and above (both crude oil tankers and dry bulk carriers) are evaluated on their technical condition, quality of the crew and the management onshore. Those that comply with all the criteria receive the Green Award certificate, which, subject to annual verification, is valid for three years. The certificate is evidence that the vessels can be expected to be extra clean and extra safe. This in turn, is rewarded by ± 30 ports in 9 countries with a reduction on port dues, encouraged by approximately 234 sea-going vessels certified by Green Award. Amongst other Green Award incentive providers there are nautical service providers and a bank.

The Freeport of Riga is a significant part of global and regional cargo supply chains and passenger traffic network in the Baltic Sea region, providing safe and reliable services. An integral part of the city, the Port recognises its social and environmental responsibilities and makes a strong contribution to the growth of Latvia’s economy. The Port is driven by high performance standards and continuously strives to improve both the quality and breadth of services to clients. The Freeport of Riga Authority works in compliance with the environment policy approved in the framework of the Environment Management System.

Green Award is delighted with the participation of the Freeport of Riga and hopes that more ports in the Baltic area will participate in the scheme whereby the mutual advantages can be developed further: ports receive more quality ships and ship-owners who want to invest in cleaner, safer management, are in turn rewarded for this.

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