The Port of Seattle has become the first US West Coast port to join the voluntary Green Marine environmental programme.
The port’s participation in the largest environmental programme for the maritime industry in North America, which encourages participants to reduce their environmental footprint, is part of its 25 year environmental goals strategy set in 2011.
As part of its strategy, the port intends to reduce energy use, air pollutants, carbon emissions and storm water runoff.
David Bolduc, executive director of Green Marine, said: “Port of Seattle plays a key role in showing how sustainable port operations are within reach and that is exactly the message and vision Green Marine wishes to convey to all marine industry’s stakeholders.”
The port is also working closely with Port Metro Vancouver and the Port of Tacoma to address port related contributions to air quality and climate change in the Georgia Basin Puget Sound region.
More than 40 environmental groups and government agencies have endorsed the Green Marine programme which addresses nine key issues including air emissions, cargo waste management, water and land pollution prevention; environmental leadership and community impacts such as noise, dust and light.
