Green Marine Environmental Results

The individual results, being published for the first time, show significant improvements achieved since the program began in 2008. The cornerstone of the Green Marine initiative is the Environmental Program of the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes Maritime Industry. Companies participating in this program evaluate their performance with respect to the seven priority environmental issues on a five level scale that ranges from regulatory compliance to excellence in their practices. The global average score of participants has risen from level 2 in 2008 to level 2.5 in 2009, exceeding regulatory standards. Individual participant results are available at www.green-marine.org. The priority environmental issues addressed by the program are:

1. Aquatic Invasive Species – Reduce the risk of introducing and propagating aquatic organisms and dangerous pathogens via ships’ ballast water

2. Air Emissions – Reduce emissions of sulphur oxide (SOx) and of nitrogen oxide (NOx)

3. Greenhouse Gases – Reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs)

4. Cargo Residues – Reduce discharges of cargo residues

5. Oily Waters – Reduce the risk of discharging oily waters

6. Conflicts of Use for Port and Terminals – Reduce the levels of noise, dust, odours and light to which individuals residing close to port installations are exposed.

7. Environmental leadership – Encourage port administrations to play a leadership role with respect to their tenants and users in the adoption of best environmental practices.

Throughout the program, participants are required to implement best practices, improve their environmental management and acquire new equipment and technologies with the goal of reaching level 5 performance.