14 April 2021
Shoreham Port has been re-certified as an EcoPort this month, eight years after our initial Port Environmental Review System (PERS) certification was awarded in 2013. Presented by the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) the PERS accreditation means that Shoreham Port continues to be a member of the EcoPorts network, the main environmental initiative of the European port sector. We are now one of 15 UK ports who hold EcoPort status, and one of only two PERS certified.
EcoPorts aims to increase awareness about environmental challenges and its members are encouraged to cooperate and share knowledge with each other, being proactive in their efforts to protect and maintain the environment. As an EcoPort, we are committed to continually improving our environmental performance, reducing our impact, and growing sustainably.
We have already taken huge strides forwards in our sustainability goals and our achievements so far include investing in almost 10,000 solar panels across the Port, saving 820 tonnes of CO₂ per year, as well as two wind turbines which produce enough energy to save 160 tonnes of CO₂ per year. We have electric vehicle charging points across the Port which are free for all colleagues to use and have recently installed two new Seabins which can catch an estimated 3.9 Kgs of floating debris per day including micro plastics down to 2mm across.
In a significant step towards our goals of reaching net-zero air quality emissions this year and net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, we have recently installed a Water Source Heat Pump at our fully serviced business centre Maritime House, replacing an oil-fired central heating and hot water system. The pump will save around 70 tonnes of carbon annually, and a similarly damaging amount of air quality emissions from entering the atmosphere. We also began powering our cranes, new fleet of forklift trucks, and other machinery with a low emission Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) fuel last year.
Looking ahead to future developments, we have also begun work on an ambitious new partnership to create a green hydrogen hub. The hydrogen produced at Shoreham will be fully certified as green as it will be produced from a combination of captive renewable energy sources available at the Port and green energy, with guaranteed certificates of renewable origin, from the Grid.
Nicky Brown, People, Communications and Sustainability Director at Shoreham Port said, “We are delighted to have been once again re certified as an EcoPort. We have huge ambition in this area and will keep innovating and pushing for a sustainable future for our Port”.
Valter Selén, ESPO EcoPorts Coordinator said, “Congratulations to Shoreham Port for its fifth consecutive certification for EcoPorts PERS, which is an outstanding achievement. As a long-standing and committed member of the ESPO EcoPorts network, Shoreham embodies the principle of continuous self-improvement in environmental management. Having joined the EcoPorts network already in 2012, we look forward to continued cooperation on environmental issues.”
Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary General ESPO said, “Shoreham Port can really be seen as an example. One of its core values is to protect and enhance the environment through green initiatives. And the Port is really acting on its word. It has developed a real programme of green initiatives to improve its environmental footprint. On top of that the Port plays an active role in supporting the renewable energy sector. The PERS recertification is more than merited.”
You can find out more about our achievements and plans for the future in our Sustainability Report.
Category: Sustainability
