Ecoports issue first cruise port certificate

Operated by Global Ports Holding Plc (GPH), Ege Port Kuşadası received Ecoports PERS accreditation in May 2019. It will be valid for two years.

Emre Sayin, CEO of Global Ports Holding, said: “GPH recognises the improvements that cruise ports can make to become more sustainable. As the world’s largest cruise port operator we are keen to play our part. We are delighted that Ege Port Kuşadası has been recognised in this way and we look forward to applying this environmental best practice to the other cruise ports we operate worldwide.”

Leading port sustainability

Dr Christopher Wooldridge, science coordinator at EcoPorts & senior trainer at EcoSLC, said: “We are pleased that Ege Port Kuşadası has become the first cruise port to meet the environmental criteria of PERS. Sustainability and environmental issues are growing concerns for the industry and we look forward to working with other cruise ports around the world to meet this standard.”

Ecoports PERS is the only port sector specific environmental management standard. The standard requires, amongst others, that the port presents an overview of major environmental issues that shows the environmental impact of the port operations and connected with this, to present the legal requirements that are aimed to reduce this impact.

It also requires that the port has trained personnel and budgets to be able to realize this improvement, to use performance indicators to measure results and to demonstrate the results. Certification is awarded after a successful audit by the independent auditor Lloyd’s Register, Netherlands.