The Environmental Ship Index (ESI) is the established global standard for ports to incentivise the improvement of shipping’s environmental performance. Beginning in 2026, ESI will consist of a revised and expanded set of modules that will introduce a new GHG methodology, and reward innovation and application of zero-emissions techniques onboard vessels.
Coincident with this significant development of ESI’s modules, the new ESI administrator contract is scheduled to begin January 1, 2026. As the scheme’s owner, the International Association of Ports & Harbors’ (IAPH), wishes to enhance the performance of the scheme by improving the contracted scope of the administration, extending it to business development.
While retaining the strengths of ESI’s current organisational expertise, IAPH seeks an increasingly professional, integrated and ambitious approach from 2026, in line with the significant revision of its formulae and functionality. This approach would involve streamlining governance processes, improving communication, integrating marketing efforts, and committing to geographic/commercial expansion.
The role of the ESI Administrator may be undertaken by a single entity managing all areas of service delivery, or it may be undertaken as a joint venture, among several specialist organisations with an identified lead for the venture acting as the central point of contact for IAPH during the tender process and, if awarded, for the duration of the contract.
Interested parties are invited to register interest in bidding for this contract at their earliest convenience by contacting IAPH business development director Nick Blackmore.
For those qualifying parties, bid clarification meetings will be scheduled and a further Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by the end of March, with a final submission deadline for proposals of April 28.
