GreenPort Congress kicks off in Valencia

Over the next three days, delegates at GreenPort Congress 2018 will hear from speakers on the latest in environmental challenges and how ports can improve their carbon footprint, both on the cruise and commercial fronts.

To support this the organiser of the 2018 event, Mercator Media along with the Host Port, Port of Valencia, are making GreenPort Congress single-use plastic free, in an effort to reduce the amount of plastic used within ports and around the globe.

“We believe it is vital to implement a plastic free event. GreenPort Congress exists to promote more environmentally conscious strategies for both European and International ports to adopt. Leading by example, we hope to promote the use of alternative, reusable materials,” said Marianne Rasmussen-Coulling, events director at Mercator Media.

Global problem

With scientists estimating that eight million metric tonnes of plastic ends up in our oceans each year, adding to the already estimated 150 million metric tonnes currently circulating our oceans, plastic is a growing global problem.

In addition to the environmental and health problems posed by marine litter, floating garbage and plastics constitutes a costly as well as dangerous problem for shipping. Litter can be a navigational hazard, becoming entangled in propellers and rudders and can also greatly affect the ecosystem surrounding ports.

The speakers at this year’s GreenPort Congress aim to help tackle this increasing global issue. Session seven, entitled “Green Technological R&D”, taking place on day two of GreenPort Congress 2018, will include presentations from Port Feeder Barge, Kalmar, Hyster and Stemmann-Technic and will highlight recent, key technological innovations within the port industry.

Topics will include reducing pollution on land, in the air and in the water.

Delegate bags will be manufactured in 100% recyclable materials, no plastic bags or envelopes will be contained within the bags and re-usable aluminium bottles for water will be available for all.

The full GreenPort Congress programme is available online.

Follow all the action on social media with the hashtag #GPCongress @greenportbiz