Maritime & Port Decarbonization

Source Metadata

CBI Sector Criteria

CBI's Shipping Criteria are under development, establishing conditional eligibility for maritime decarbonization. Vessels must demonstrate emissions intensity below a declining threshold aligned with the IMO's GHG reduction strategy. Port infrastructure improvements that reduce vessel emissions during berthing (such as shore power) and logistics efficiency investments are eligible. The criteria recognize the sector's hard-to-abate nature while requiring credible transition pathways.

Eligible Activities & Assets

Eligible assets include: electric and hybrid ferries and coastal vessels; shore power (cold ironing) installations at ports; port electrification and renewable energy installations; LNG-to-electric and hydrogen fuel cell vessel conversions; wind-assisted propulsion retrofits; port logistics optimization and automation systems; and green port infrastructure including waste reception and ballast water treatment facilities.

Certification Process

Verifiers assess vessel emissions intensity against the CBI threshold trajectory using the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) as reference metrics. Pre-issuance assessment requires fleet transition plans and port modernization designs. Post-issuance monitoring includes actual vessel emissions data and port-level emissions inventories.

LATAM Market Context

LATAM's extensive coastline and port infrastructure create significant maritime decarbonization opportunities. Brazil's Port of Santos, Colombia's Cartagena and Buenaventura ports, and Chile's Valparaíso are investing in green port infrastructure. Maritime transport green bond issuance in the region is nascent but growing, driven by IMO regulations and trade partner ESG requirements from the EU.

Colombia Green Finance Taxonomy Alignment

The TVC includes port infrastructure modernization and low-emission maritime transport as eligible activities. Colombia's Plan Maestro Fluvial and port modernization programs in Buenaventura and Cartagena present green bond opportunities. Shore power installations and port renewable energy projects align with both CBI and TVC criteria.

Cleantech Taxonomy Crosswalk

Maps to Cleantech Taxonomy sector TR (Transport) — specifically TR-MA (Maritime) and TR-PT (Ports). Cross-references to AF-MC (AFOLU: Marine Conservation) for port environmental impacts and to ES (Energy) for port electrification and renewable energy installations.