ESPO also congratulates the Port of Klaipėda (Lithuania) and the Port of Rotterdam (the Netherlands) in their PERS certification renewal. The Port of Klaipeda joined the EcoPorts network in 2013 and has now been awarded the PERS certificate for the third consecutive time,  and the Port of Rotterdam is a long-standing member of EcoPorts since 2003 and is now been awarded the PERS certificate for the sixth consecutive time.

The certificates were handed over on the gala dinner of the ESPO conference may 6th in Gdansk. 

Isabelle Ryckbost, ESPO Secretary General, said: “We are pleased to congratulate the Port of Klaipėda and the Port of Rotterdam on their continued achievement under the EcoPorts PERS certification scheme.

The Port of Rotterdam, has now secured its sixth consecutive certification, further demonstrating its long-standing commitment to environmental excellence and its leadership in advancing sustainability across European ports. The Port of Klaipėda PERS recertification reflects their steady progress in enhancing environmental management practices across its operations in the Baltic region.”

Tim Verhoeven, ESPO Senior Policy Advisor and EcoPorts Coordinator, commented: “We warmly congratulate the Port of Rotterdam and take this opportunity to recognise its long-standing leadership in sustainability. This commitment is deeply embedded throughout the organisation, and as Europe’s largest port, Rotterdam continues to set a strong example in advancing sustainable practices.

We also extend our congratulations to the Port of Klaipėda, a key hub in the Baltic Sea. The port has been an active member of EcoPorts and contributed last year’s image for our environmental report. We are pleased to recertify them once again.”

PERS (Port Environmental Review System) is the only port-specific environmental standard. The last five years have seen important increases in its recognition and membership, with 83 ports from 24 countries currently counting themselves as part of the EcoPorts Network, and 29 ports holding PERS certification. Compliance with the EcoPorts’ PERS standard is independently assessed by LRQA Nederland B.V. and the certificate has a validity of two years. EcoPorts’ PERS is revised after the 2-year period, ensuring ports continuously meet the requirements.

For more information on EcoPorts’ PERS, visit the EcoPorts website.

Picture from left to right: PERS certificate handed during the ESPO Conference 2026 in Gdansk to the Port of Klaipėda by Tim Verhoeven ESPO’s Senior Advisor and EcoPorts Coordinator to Diana Gerasimoviene —Head of the Sustainability and Environmental Protection Department at the the Port of Klaipėda, Aistė Kubiliūtė — Environmental Cordinator of the Port of Klaipėda and Isabelle Ryckbost — ESPO’s Secretary General. 

Picture from left to right: Boudewijn Siemons — CEO of the Port of Rotterdam was handed the PERS certificate of the port by Tim Verhoeven ESPO’s Senior Advisor and EcoPorts Coordinator during the ESPO Conference 2026 in Gdansk, Ansis Zeltins — ESPO’s Chair. 

Picture from left to right: Eric van der Schans — Director Environmental Management, Karin Michels — Manager policy, Environmental management, and Imke Deibel and Pim de Wit — Advisors of environmental management.