Sustainable Ports
Sustainable Ports
Friend of the Sea sustainable shipping and cruise line standard enhances its full implementation when Certified Ships are calling in at Certified Sustainable Ports.
Friend of the Sea sustainable ports standard aims to improve the environmentally conscious operation of maritime ports worldwide, extending the sustainable shipping philosophy and approaches, by dedicated maritime ports industry regulations and standards focused on conservation and biodiversity.
Ports are becoming more conscious in implementing Environmental Leadership, Social responsibility, Community Relations and on impact they generate, daily. Greenhouse Gases and Air Pollutants, Waste Management, Aquatic Invasive Species, Underwater Noise , Spill Prevention, Stormwater Management, Dry Bulk Handling and Storage generated by commercial shipping and pleasure activities, are becoming pivotal points of reflection, including Research & Development (R&D)
Why Sustainable Ports?
Maritime port industry has begun to heed calls by marine conservationist to engage in more environmentally conscious practices and awareness. Guidelines and standards are being developed to define steps required to reduce carbon footprint on the goods and people transported at sea. There have been significant advances in research and development in the environmental sustainability of maritime shipping by implementing new greener technologies, future fuels, and emissions control.
However, it remains difficult to identify the cleanest or most environmentally friendly shipping port as each entity is marked by different regulations, strategies, and technology innovations and governed by different laws for marine conservation and biodiversity. Friend of the Sea has subsequently developed a new certification standard, with the aim of improving the vision of “unlocking” Port Managers adapting specific tools in protecting marine environment and its resources through conservation projects and activities, while also involving & promoting with other ports stakeholders for a synergic wider approach, that including other WSO projects.
The Standard for Sustainable Ports
Friend of the Sea criteria for sustainable shipping require:
- Environmental Leadership
- Adopting conservation and biodiversity projects
- Waste Management, Greenhouse Gases and Air Pollutants prevention
- Social accountability.
- Legal compliance.
- All the information will be kept strictly confidential and implies NO commitment on your company’s part.
- The Friend of the Sea certification is voluntary and NOT mandatory to gain access to markets.
- The application process is NOT discriminatory on size, scale, management and minimum number of operators.
- Friend of the Sea is a NGO and it strives to make participation in the audits affordable for all companies.
- Please, contact us for more information on Government funding which might be available in your Country for sustainability certifications: info@friendofthesea.org
