In our special column this month, we are glad to host an interview with Mr. Sotiris Raptis, Director - Maritime Safety & Environment at ECSA European Community Shipowners' Associations, who notes that working from home during the pandemic has helped him find a new way of balancing professional and private life, acknowledging the value of technology.

Sotiris Raptis presents the ten key priorities of European ports toward a more sustainable management, according to the latest environmental report published annually by ESPO. One of the findings that is worth noticing is that air quality, which was not an issue back in 1996, it is now in the agenda remaining a first priority since 2013.

During his presentation at the last GREEN4SEA Conference, Mr. Sotiris Raptis, Senior Policy Advisor for Environment and Safety, EcoPorts Coordinator, ESPO, focused on the position of European ports on the revision of the Port Reception Facilities Directive, recently published by the European Commission.

Sotiris Raptis, ESPO, refers to the sustainable policies of EU ports and says that EcoPorts has become the main environmental initiative of the European port sector to address current environmental challenges. It has provided a system developed by ports for ports, specifically designed to put ESPO’s policies into practice by encouraging the free exchange of experience on environmental issues among its members.

Sotiris Raptis, Senior Policy Advisor for Environment & Safety, EcoPorts Coordinator, cites how EcoPorts network, initiated in 1997 in the year the Kyoto Protocol was signed, has become a successful initiative for ports to raise awareness, exchange information and promote better environmental management. After 20 years, this initiative has transformed into a solid network of around 100 European ports within ESPO.

MRV presentation will present the last developments at EU level in respect to the international dimension of the new EU Regulation and its adoption by the plenary of the European Parliament next week.