Ports should adopt sustainability leadership

Environmental management software company Envirosuite said that as ports and demand for services grow this concept must be the industry’s key priority to simultaneously and effectively improve operational efficiencies and minimise environmental impact to communities that surround ports.

Envirosuite’s business development manager, Marinma Dorado, said that European ports are “becoming acutely aware of the challenge of implementing socially and environmentally responsible business practices.

“They need to ensure they reduce operational expenditures and improve stakeholder relations, as well as increase profitability and competitive advantage.”

Ms Dorado is working with European Ports to implement technologies for proactive management and rapid response to environmental issues.

She said that ports are open to collaboration with businesses located in their vicinity who have the same commitments to managing air quality, emissions, odour and associated community engagement, plus related regulations.

Speaking about businesses, she explained: “They want to minimise environmental impact and upkeep their reputation in the community. That requires them to stay ahead of regulation, but also be open to collaboration with the maritime authorities.”

European ports and nearby businesses need to monitor emissions in real time and use the resulting ‘big data’ to make better operational decisions, stressed Envirosuite. They also need to focus on predicting potential air quality issues and adapting operations to minimise community impacts.

Collaboration over this data and actionable insights would give ports and businesses the “ideal step towards adopting sustainable leadership,” the company added.