Tax exemptions from the Swedish government will bring about financial incentives for ships to use cold ironing when docking at Swedish ports, according to the Port of Gothenburg. "Today's announcement by the government is extremely positive," said Magnus Kårestedt, chief executive of the Port of Gothenburg.

"Apart from the fact that customers who already use this technology will have a considerably reduced cost, I believe the decision will lead to further operators linking up.

"Onshore power supply will now become a more financially attractive alternative."

The government's improved tax conditions for biogas and onshore power supply for vessels, as part of its spring fiscal policy bill, comes into force on July 1.

The Port of Gothenburg also plans to offer ro/ro vessels and ferries operating scheduled services at the port the opportunity to link up free of charge to the port's cold ironing system within the next 12 months.

The port is actively pursuing the technology by having all quays redeveloped, renovated or constructed with ducts for onshore power supply.

At present, around 20% of vessels at the Port of Gothenburg are linked to the system.

"Those customers that are already part of the system have contributed by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by around 5,000 tonnes each year," said Åsa Wilske, responsible for environmental affairs at the Port of Gothenburg.

"Our aim is that as many as possible link up so that the figure is at least 30,000 tonnes per year."

Instead of having electricity supplied from a ship's auxillary engines, cold ironing allows vessels to receive electricity from a land based source, eliminating noise and air pollution. The technology is seen as a cost efficient alternative to using expensive distillate fuel in ports.

"As a result of the proposal, Sweden is showing good example and we hope that other countries will follow suit," Kårestedt added.

"This is what is required for this technology to become more widespread and reinforces the work being done at the port with the aim of becoming an environmentally smart link in the logistics chain."

The Port of Gothenburg claims to have been the first in the world to implement cold ironing in 2000, and is currently working on establishing an international set of standards for the technology.