The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has launched the Environmental Premium Ranking, a new initiative to reward shippers with vessels meeting high environmental efficiency standards starting January 1, 2017. The new incentive will award customers with points to improve their position in the canal’s customer ranking system when booking for transit through the Panama Canal, the authority said in a statement Monday. To qualify, vessels must meet one of two levels in the energy design index threshold, the environmental ship index threshold, or the low nitrogen threshold, or run their engine on LNG bunker fuel. Shippers must request participation and provide supporting documentation proving the environmental efficiency rating at least 96 hours prior to the vessel’s arrival at the canal. “With the addition of the Environmental Premium Ranking to our Recognition Program, we’re rewarding those who make conscious efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and invest in technology that will […]