Ports are playing a pivotal role in the maritime sector; policies regarding sustainability are important to consider that ports are different in terms of location, size and governance (privatized, public, small ports, tourism-oriented, hubs). However, they share common environmental priorities.
Building on a long tradition that goes back to 1996, ESPO and EcoPorts regularly monitor the top environmental priorities of European port authorities. This data is important as it identifies the high priority environmental issues on which ports are working and it sets the framework for guidance and initiatives to be taken by ESPO.
According to latest outcome which builds on data from 91 ports, the top ten environmental priorities of European Ports for 2017 are: Air quality, Energy consumption, Noise, Water Quality, Dredging operations, Garbage / Port Waste, Port developments, Relationship with local community, Ship waste and Climate change
A comparison of the priorities (Table 1) shows how these have changed during the last decade since the beginning of the ESPO framework. It comes as no surprise that air quality, noise and garbage/port waste remain on top of the list. Ports are often located in densely populated areas; these elements are directly related to the society and thus shipping industry needs to take them into consideration.
Most of the priorities of the 2016 top-10 remain in the top-10 of 2017. There are some changes in the order of priorities and a new entrance for the first time to the top-10, Climate Change (which as a category under EcoPorts covers energy efficiency, GHG emissions reduction and adaptation). There are now three emissions related issues reported in the top-10 priorities, i.e. Air Quality, Energy Consumption and Climate Change.
This shift reflects efforts made by ports to address the challenges of climate change, the energy transition policies already being implemented to fulfil the objectives of the Paris Agreement, and increased awareness about the exposure of ports to extreme weather events.
#1 Priority: Air Quality
It is interesting to note that air quality was not an issue back in 1996, but it is now in the agenda and specifically, it remains a top priority during the last couple years. Given that 90% of European ports are being in close proximity to urban areas, ports, coastal cities and their local communities are amongst the most vulnerable to extreme weather conditions resulting from global warming.
With the adoption of the Paris Agreement, developed and developing countries agreed to take immediate action to address the global threat of climate change and keep the increase of global temperature below two degrees. At the same time, IMO has taken actions by adopting regulations which aim to tackle air pollution from ships (NOx, SOx, CO2) and climate change issues.
#2 Priority: Energy Consumption
Energy consumption is an important environmental factor in port operations. As energy costs are increasing, port authorities and terminal operators are looking for ways to reduce their fuel bills. Energy consumption has become the second priority issue of European ports. As we note, since 2009, the importance of energy consumption has raised year over year. One of the reasons is the direct link between energy consumption, and the carbon footprint of the ports and climate change.
#3 Priority: Noise
Although noise was gradually stepping in the list, the last two years remained at 3rd position. In fact, moored seagoing vessels produce sound that can be perceived as annoying by residents living near harbours. In particular, the port of Rotterdam and Amsterdam face a problem with noise coming from ships. The ship noise is the major part of the industrial noise that comes out of this area, so this is a problem for a port once it has a good relationship with the surrounding area and people living over there start complaining.
#4 Priority: Water Quality
Ports and harbors face the problem of input of pollutants from port or harbour activities, such as antifouling releases from painted boat hulls, boat hull cleaning, as well as stormwater runoff to the port or harbor from the port/harbor property and the surrounding urban and industrial, and sometimes agricultural areas. The climbing of water quality at position 4 from 8 in 2016 can be linked with the implementation of the water framework directive and the ongoing discussions on the potential impact of washwater discharges by open loop scrubbers.
#5 Priority: Dredging operations
Major port expansion projects or even routine maintenance projects in waterways surrounding the port area, can have considerable impact on the environment. Therefore, the knowledge of the port community about the effect of port activities on the natural system and the quantity, quality and distribution of material within rivers and coastal waters is imperative. Ports still encounter many regulatory problems related to the carrying out of essential activities such as dredging and the sustainable management of waterways remains crucial.
#6 Priority: Garbage / Port Waste
The handling of port waste has been moved down the top 10 scale. Also, another type of waste has made its appearance the last couple years, ship waste, illustrating the importance of waste management in ports. Currently, the ongoing review of the port reception facilities directive and the whole debate over the adequacy of port reception facilities aim to tackle the issue.
#7 Priority: Port developments (land)
As per dredging operations, port development (land) is one of these issues appearing consistently in the priority list of the European port sector over the last twenty years. However, only land-related development has remained in the priorities since 2013 while previous years, water-related development was of concern. This reflects the fact that the attention has been lifted to port performance in terms of creation of employment and added value for port stakeholders.
#8 Priority: Relationship with local community
Overall, the relationship with the community plays an important role, so it was normal when it came to the list in 2009, as ports are a vital part of the maritime industry and the community is indeed an indirect customer to be considered.
#9 Priority: Ship waste
Ship waste is a new entry since 2016, mostly due to the ongoing discussions about the EU Port Reception Facilities directive which also aims to align the EU law with MARPOL regime. Especially with regard to the waste delivery obligation, the EU directive has already been successful in decreasing substantially ship waste discharged at sea. In any case, an efficient and responsible waste management is needed to move forward.
#10 Priority: Climate change
This is also a new entry in the list, given that a growing number of public and private entities, including port authorities, are evaluating potential impacts from climate change. If there is an issue about which the industry is most concerned, this is climate change. At the same time, port authorities have realized that the issue is taking priority over maintaining the competitiveness of the state’s seaports. This is a key challenge not only for ports but the whole maritime community which comes at a time when it is imperative to take action and eliminate as much as possible the negative implications of climate change.
