Periodically ESPO and EPF undertake a survey of European Ports to evaluate the progress made in environmental management, and to identify the Top Ten sustainable management issues. The mission of EPF is to provide cost effective solutions for the Top-10 Environmental Issues in European Ports.

The Top-10 Port Environmental Issues (ESPO Survey 2004)

1. Port Waste Management
2. Dredging
3. Dredging Disposal
4. Dust
5. Noise
6. Air Quality
7. Bunkering
8. Hazardous cargo
9. Port Development (land related)
10. Ship discharge (bilge)

1. Port Waste Management 
Waste can be defined as any substance or object that the holder intends to or is required to discard. This includes oil and oily waters; noxious liquids; special, controlled and hazardous wastes; sewage and garbage. The production of waste is an aspect related to most of the activities carried out in a Port (e.g. shipping, storage, maintenance, waste management); for this reason if its management is not suitable it can be considered as a significant aspect. Recent regulations introduce the concept of “duty of care” that require that wastes be followed (documented) from “cradle (origin) to grave (disposal)”.
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2-3. Dredging and disposal of dredged materials
Generally speaking, dredging activity consists of periodic removal of material from the seabed in approach channels to port and harbour basins to maintain widths and depths in previously dredged areas to ensure the safe access for vessels. It also involves the disposal of the excavated material (ABP Research, 1999).
The potential environmental effects of maintenance dredging are generally two-fold, firstly as a result of the dredging process itself and secondly as a result of the disposal of the dredged material. It can have effects such as reduction of the water quality (e.g. acute chemical toxicity, increase of the suspended sediments, release of organic matter, nutrients and or contaminants), turbidity, smothering/removal of organisms, bioaccumulation, alteration of the community structure and the substrate type.
But, dredging and disposal can also have some positive effects such as removal of contaminated sediments and relocation to safe areas or use of the material extracted to regenerate beaches, mudflats or salt marsh habitats.
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4. Dust
Dust is considered a set of particles emitted to air and can constitute visual, physical, chemical, or health hazards for employees or the public. The most common sources of dust are open storage, handling (e.g. grabs) and spillages of dry bulk cargoes. Fine particles require little wind to create dust.
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5. Noise
Noise can be defined as unwanted sound. The generation of noise is related to most mechanical or industrial activities carried out in a port and this aspect creates an important impact on the employees, wildlife and the public. Noise can interfere with sleep, communication and privacy: aggravate stress, result in irritability and reduce working efficiency. High levels of noise can lead to hearing loss. Therefore, noise can constitute an occupational hazard, result in complaints and be considered a public nuisance under the law.
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6. Air quality
Air emissions include substances (gaseous or solid), material and energy escaping to the atmosphere through stacks, ducts, vents, stockpiles, windows, transport and materials handling.  The presence of these products in the atmosphere and their interaction can create air pollution affecting the local climate, the building structure, the weather*, health (human and wildlife) and the global environment (global warming, depletion of ozone layer).
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7. Bunkering
Bunkering is defined as the action or process of supplying a ship with fuel. This operation, also known as refuelling, is a very normal activity taking place in ports and can originate oil spills in this area. This kind of pollution and its fate and distribution can create potential harmful effects on the environment (water quality and sediments quality), health (human and wildlife) fisheries and recreational pursuits. The persistent toxic constituents of fuel, such as heavy metals, can become stored in the sediments and taken up into the food chain affecting the whole ecosystem.
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8. Hazardous cargo
Storage of hazardous & dangerous cargo may result in specific environmental risks dependant on the physical- chemical characteristics of the chemicals stored; the method of storage, the location, size and management of the storage site. Dangerous cargo, their properties, stowage and storage requirements are given in the 'International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code' (IMDG) published by the IMO.
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9. Port Development (land related)
The lack of space and the increasing number of industries located in the Port area can create a necessity for expansion towards the surroundings. This occupation of the terrestrial space may generate several consequences

• Destruction of some natural areas close to the Port (e.g. wetlands, dune systems)
• Disturbance of the flora and fauna which live in the area affected for the new expansion
• Relocation of some installations which can generate social conflicts
• Landscape impact due to the very existence of the port. For instance, the port infrastructure, the land-based traffic and the lighting used during night operations give the Port the appearance of a busy industrialized district.

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10. Ship discharge (bilge)
This kind of discharge is referred to the water collected and stagnated in the bilge of a ship, this is, the lowest inner part of a ship's hull. Bilge water can be found aboard every vessel, but its composition is always unique. Because the bilge wells receive fluids from many parts of the ship, bilge water can contain water, oil, dispersants, detergents, solvents, chemicals, particles and more. If this water is released to the port, it can mean a potential threat to the water quality.
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