Developing roles
Chris Wooldridge of Cardiff University points out, “When the port sector started environmental research and development fifteen years ago, the initiative was focussed on cargo handling at the quay side, but now it must broaden its scope. Shipping is a global activity; it’s time to deliver integrated environmental management for the interests of the whole chain.”
The ECO SLC methodology was originally developed in relation to the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) in order to help its members address their environmental liabilities via the starting point of Self-Diagnosis Methodology (SDM). This helps the ports launch a phased approach towards formal standards such as ISO 14001 and EMAS while letting it benchmark its operations against the sector’s average, either taken locally or Europe-wide.
Next, ports have the option of identifying significant environmental aspects and introducing the necessary organisation to deliver compliance. This Port Environmental Review System (PERS) provides the option of certification validated by Lloyds Register.
The role of promoting and administering the tools and methodologies (SDM and PERS) for European member ports and those in neighbouring countries will be taken over by ESPO from 1 January 2011. At the same time, by agreement with ESPO and observing the same protocols of confidentiality in data handling, ECO SLC will be responsible for promoting the use of the tools outside Europe. It has also been agreed that there will be the option of combining benchmark performance based on SDM responses inside and outside Europe with due regard for anonymity and confidentiality.
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