Ports Certification
Taking action to reduce emissions, underwater noise and pollution. Managing waste and preventing the spread of invasive species. Supporting marine conservation and involving local communities.
About the certification
Friend of the Sea ports certification assesses defined ports and their operations against requirements for emissions, underwater noise, waste, invasive species and pollution controls. It also examines how port management monitors performance, engages local communities and supports projects connected to its environmental footprint.
Port authorities and management bodies can apply for the ports they operate. Customers and port users can check the approved scope, while applicants can review the operational evidence, audit steps and port-specific charges before applying.
What can be certified
Commercial, industrial, passenger, fishing, tourism and pleasure ports can be submitted for assessment. The application identifies port names, locations, traffic, ownership and route connections. Approval applies to the ports and operations in the agreed scope; it does not automatically certify vessels using the port.
What the standard covers
Maintain port location and traffic information, valid safety and environmental management certification requirements, and environmental monitoring records. Publication of an annual performance report is an Important requirement.
Complete a port-wide inventory of greenhouse gases and air pollutants within the previous five years, covering relevant vessels, equipment and land transport. Publicly disclose reduction targets and timeframes. An annual average reduction in greenhouse-gas intensity of at least 1 percent is an Important requirement.
Identify underwater noise sources affecting marine biodiversity. Important provisions cover awareness, a mitigation plan with monitoring and data collection, and incentives for port users and shipping lines that implement noise-reduction measures.
Controls address equipment noise, painting and blasting dust, debris, lighting and truck congestion. Community provisions include communication and consultation on projects. A permanent consultative committee open to citizens is Essential. Other measures apply according to their stated level and site conditions.
Adopt a purchasing policy addressing environmental impacts. Important requirements cover waste audits every five years, a reduction plan, construction waste and progress against objectives. Invasive-species provisions include sampling, a registry and a management plan; informing stakeholders about prevention is Essential when relevant scientific information is available.
Hazardous-product tanks and containers stored outdoors within 30 metres of water or 15 metres of a drainage system require secondary containment. Important provisions cover spill exercises, a stormwater plan and routine analysis of treated stormwater using an accredited laboratory. Tabletop spill exercises take place annually, with site drills at least every two years.
A documented inspection and preventive maintenance programme must cover dry-cargo handling equipment and dust suppression. Important provisions address loading or unloading during abnormal wind-driven dust emissions and analysis of handling stages to identify preventive measures.
Provide incentives for vessels with the certifications and facilities specified by the standard. Allocate at least 1 percent of annual operating revenue to environmental or social projects linked to the port’s footprint. Important provisions address road-vehicle technology changes and applicable whale collision slow-down areas.
Collaboration with research organisations on technologies to reduce maritime impacts is an Important requirement. Examples include fuel-consumption reduction, heat recovery, energy generation and hull design.
Assessment and certification
The certification body assesses the port operations and supporting records against the applicable criteria, records findings and reaches the certification decision for the agreed scope.
Certification fees
Use the dedicated ports price list. It gives a two-year fee per port based on annual cargo throughput and an audit rate of EUR 1,000 per day, excluding travel and accommodation. VAT is added where due. Request a quotation to confirm the band and scope, including how a passenger or non-cargo port is assessed.
Check certification status
Search the directory for the relevant product or species and check its certification scope and status. A company name in the directory does not mean that all its products are certified.
Frequently asked questions
The approved scope identifies the port or ports and the operations assessed. It does not automatically cover every facility or activity of the management company.
No. Port and vessel assessments are separate. A port’s approval does not certify the shipping services, cargo or products passing through it.
Prepare port and traffic data, management certificates, monitoring records, emissions inventories and targets, noise information, waste and spill procedures, community consultation records and project-funding evidence.
Yes. Ports must allocate at least 1 percent of annual operating revenue to environmental or social projects linked to the port’s footprint. This operational requirement is separate from audit fees and logo royalties.
The published port price list uses annual cargo throughput and states a two-year fee per port. It separately lists an audit day rate, excluding travel and accommodation, with VAT added where due. Request a quotation to confirm the applicable band, especially for passenger or other ports without comparable cargo throughput.
Logo use requires authorisation and payment of the applicable royalties. It must refer only to the ports and operations included in the approved scope. A certified port does not give other ports in the same group permission to use the logo.
Apply for certification
Provide the port name, location, traffic type and volume, management details and the operations you want assessed.
Submit the preliminary information form to request a scope review and quotation. The initial enquiry does not commit you to proceeding. If the form does not load, email info@friendofthesea.org.