ACL’s fleet honored at 2026 Port Sustainability Summit.

Atlantic Container Line (ACL) and their sister company, Grimaldi Deep Sea SpA were honored at the 2026 Ports Sustainability Summit hosted by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on Friday, April 10, 2026, in recognition of their environmental performance and commitment to sustainable shipping practices.

The awards ceremony was held at Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, New Jersey, and was based on 2025 performance. ACL achieved 100% participation rate for the Clean Vessel Incentive (CVI) Program and recorded an Environmental Ship Index (ESI) score of 56.05%, while Grimaldi Deep Sea SpA earned an ESI score of 58.32%.

The Clean Vessel Incentive Program recognizes ocean carriers for voluntary efforts to reduce emissions, conserve fuel, and protect marine life. The program encourages environmental performance beyond the regulatory standards established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The CVI Program uses a scoring system that awards points for Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) and a vessel’s Environmental Ship Index (ESI) score. Additional incentives are granted on a per-call basis to vessels that demonstrate the use of alternative fuels or advanced emission-reduction technologies. Through these measures, the program promotes operational practices that reduce air pollutants, lower carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, and minimize the risk of vessel strikes on whales.

Vessel Speed Reduction A central component of the program is VSR compliance, which requires vessels 19.8 meters or longer to slow to 10 knots or less beginning 20 nautical miles outside the Territorial Sea Line. This aligns with federal protections established by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Rule (50 CFR 224.105), which are in effect along the U.S. East Coast from November 1 through April 30 to reduce the risk of ship strikes on endangered North Atlantic right whales. Operating at reduced speeds not only helps protect marine life but also improves fuel efficiency and reduces engine load, leading to lower emissions per nautical mile traveled. By promoting and extending compliance year-round, the CVI Program further decreases harmful emissions while enhancing protections for vulnerable marine mammals.

Environmental Ship Index (ESI) Developed by the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) is a voluntary benchmarking tool used to evaluate vessel environmental performance. The ESI measures emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx), while also recognizing vessels equipped to use shore power and those demonstrating ongoing fuel efficiency improvements. These factors contribute to reductions in carbon dioxide (CO₂) and particulate matter (PM) emissions. As a standardized metric, the ESI provides ports and stakeholders with a reliable way to identify and reward cleaner, more environmentally responsible vessels.

[Created: 20 April 2026]