‘Green’ checklist to improve smaller ports

Covering topics including environmental practice and management, proactive partnerships and strategic planning for the future, the system is said to break down some of the major sustainability challenges facing harbour masters on a daily basis. As a result, it’s expected to become a vital tool in enabling the ports to ensure they are working sustainably.

The checklist is the result of three years of research and engaging with more than 20 harbour masters in small ports across Devon and Cornwall, but is something that can be applied in any small port across the UK.

“Sustainability is of vital importance in the maritime industry, and the harbour masters across Devon and Cornwall are committed to safeguarding local employment and commercially important but sustainable local operations,” said Dr Andrei Kuznetsov, who helped devise the checklist.

“But while larger ports have teams addressing these issues, the smaller ones cannot commit the resources and time. By providing them with an easy-to-use system, we are taking away many of the challenges and barriers and enabling them to focus on the key actions and decisions that are needed,” he added.

The study, published in the Marine Policy journal, features a full breakdown of the key pillars which researchers say need to be focussed on as part of a port’s sustainability agenda. These are: asset management and maintenance, safety management, environmental knowledge and awareness, environmental management, stakeholder engagement, business planning and management, effectiveness of management processes, customer service and satisfaction, proactive partnerships, change management and strategic planning for the future.

Under each heading, there are then five statements through which harbour masters can rank their current performance and earmark areas where they can improve their practices.

The system has already been successfully trialled at ports in Devon and Cornwall, with adopters reporting a more proactive stance towards sustainability and the safeguarding of local communities, improved understanding, and more effective discourse with stakeholders.

“Working proactively to ensure sustainability issues are addressed – and having a mechanism in place to mitigate against any challenges which arise – is integral to safeguarding jobs in the long-term, something which is vital to maritime communities right across the country,” concluded Dr John Dinwoodie, professor of maritime logistics.