EcoPorts News

Ecoports News, September/October 2010

20 Oct 2010

Editorial

Dear Ecoports network partner,

With this edition of the Ecoports News we want to maintain our regular communication and update you on the latest developments in the network. We are fast approaching to a new start for Ecoports via its integration within the structure of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) that is foreseen from January 2011 onwards. In parallel with tackling the associated practicalities towards that direction, the main focus of our work nowadays is the updating of SDM and PERS and the introduction of a new online system that would facilitate the service chain of the Ecoports tools. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any Ecoports enquiries or feedback, also related to the current newsletter.

 

With kind regards, Dr. Antonis Michail,
Ecoports Coordinator and Policy Advisor on Sustainable Development ESPO Address: Treurenberg 6, 1000 Brussels
Tel : +32 (0)2 734 94 48 / Fax: +32 (0)2 736 63 25
Web: www.ecoports.com / Email: antonis.michail@ecoports.com

 

Ecoports Network and Tools Update

Despite the transitional nature of the current year, the Ecoports network keeps being remarkably active as recent facts can demonstrate. In June Ecoports warmly welcomed the port of La Spezia (Italy) to the Ecoports network of ports. The port of Milford Haven (UK) has recently completed the SDM for the first time and submitted it to Ecoports for analysis and feedback. Earlier during the summer the port of Calais submitted its SDM for 2010. ESPO and Ecoports recommend strongly the regular use of SDM on a yearly basis and the Port of Calais is an example to follow in this field having submitted SDMs for 3 consecutive years. There are currently over that 80 entries within the SDM benchmark database. Ecoports congratulates the ports of Harlingen (The Netherlands) and Calais (France) for implementing PERS and for being awarded certification for the first time after the positive evaluation of their application by Lloyds Register. Earlier this summer the port of Dublin successfully granted its PERS re-certification. Around 10 ports are currently in the process of PERS certification or re-certification. Ports from Cyprus, Croatia, Germany, Italy and the UK are in the process of implementing PERS while ports from Greece, Spain and the UK are soon expected to apply for re-certification. There are more than 35 ports currently certified by PERS. Ecoports would like to remind you that the PERS certificate is valid for a period of two years and to invite you to contact the secretariat regarding the re- certification process.

 

Updating of SDM and PERS within 2010

The updated versions of SDM and PERS are to be launched in the beginning of 2011. In parallel with the actual updating of the tools a new online system will be introduced for managing the Ecoports network and facilitating the service chain of the two tools. The online system will allow interested ports to register and gain access to SDM and PERS. SDM will be available online within the system and will


be seen as the entry step for ports to grant an Ecoports status and access to PERS. Both SDM and PERS will be streamlined to avoid duplications between them. SDM is expected to be enriched with some additional questions reflecting emerging priorities and areas of interest. In order to ensure the regular updating of the European benchmark of performance, a validity period will also be introduced for SDM. PERS is expected to be modified on the requirements on environmental reporting. For ports that start with PERS those will be less strict but ports that apply for re-certification will be asked to provide evidence of reported environmental data. For more information on the updating of the tools and the development of the online system please do not hesitate to contact the secretariat.

 

Feedback to recent Ecoports enquiries

The efforts of ports that are in the process of implementing PERS within 2010 will not be affected by the updating of the tool and the new version that is foreseen to be released early
2011. Although that no major modifications are foreseen for PERS anyway, Ecoports and
Lloyds will be foreseeing a transitional period for the first months of 2011 and evaluating the applications for certification in line with the “old” requirements of the standard if preferred by the port.
From 2011 onwards an “Ecoports port” will be considered any port that completes the updated SDM and contributes in that way to the maintaining and updating of the European Benchmark of performance. Please note that in order to ensure the regular updating of the European benchmark of performance, a validity period will be introduced for SDM. Visibility will be provided to Ecoports ports through the new online system.
The Ecoports website is not currently being regularly updated. This is due to the transitional period until the end of the year when the current website will be replaced by a new online gateway that will be provided through the ESPO website. Comprehensive information regarding the “online” continuation of Ecoports is to be provided shortly on both the Ecoports and ESPO websites.
Ecoports can offer various training sessions and workshops adapted to the specific needs of interested ports or national port associations. Whether you would be interested in receiving specific training on the use of the Ecoports tools or in arranging a workshop on environmental issues of interest for your port, region or country, please do not hesitate to contact the secretariat to discuss the available options.

 

New ESPO Environmental Guide to be published within 2011

The Sustainable Development Committee of ESPO is currently working on updating the ESPO Environmental Code of Practice that was published back in 2003. The new Environmental Guide will be re-establishing the vision of the sector on sustainability and will be identifying common ways for implementing environmental ambitions. A more “thematic” approach will be followed having as starting point the common environmental priorities of the European port sector as those were identified by the outcomes of the ESPO / Ecoports Port Environmental Review of 2009. For the selected priority areas of interest, the instruments that are commonly available in the disposition of port authorities for influencing the environmental performance of the port area will be examined and good practises will be identified and highlighted. The aim is to go a step further from the previous edition in defining what port responsible practices are in facing the main
environmental challenges of the sector. The new ESPO guide is expected to be published within 2011.