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Australasia Viewpoint
BREAKING NEW GROUND IN ECO CERTIFICATION
An Australian port has broken new ground by becoming the first port in the region to be certified by EcoPorts, writes Dave MacIntyre
Photo: Port of Newcastle
The Port of Newcastle in New South Wales has passed the certification tests set by EcoPorts under its Port Environmental Review System (PERS) following stringent independent tests by Lloyd's Register to measure the port against best practice management around the world.
The Lloyds Register audit specifically looks at a port's profile, environment policy statement and its processes for environmental reporting, looking for examples of best practice such as successful management solutions or options to respond to environmental challenges.
ECOPORTS CHAMPION
One such example would be the port's AUS$35 million bulk terminal upgrade, which features a new ship unloader with stateof-the-art crane and environmental monitoring systems. The port is also continuing to improve efficiency and reduce fuel, power The scheme is part of a plan for the port to contribute towards
and water consumption across its operations in order to reduce its environmental impact.
Newcastle's environment, sustainability and planning manager, Jackie Spiteri, says the EcoPorts certification is an important milestone in recognising the port's commitment to environmental management and sustainability.
“Given sustainability is central to the port's business strategy, we are actively working to manage the environmental challenges we face as a city port by focusing on diversifying trade and improving efficiency and safety of the supply chain,” she says.
environmental footprint and partnering with employees, customers and community on sustainability initiatives.
“The certification milestone is also significant in that it enables valuable collaboration and learning opportunities with other similarly-committed ports around the world, including the highlyregarded teams at the Port of Rotterdam, the Port of Hamburg and the Port of Amsterdam.”
Newcastle is also championing the EcoPorts standard with a number of other ports across Australia and New Zealand, with several others now pursuing the opportunity to participate in the global initiative
On a broader sustainability scale, Newcastle has moved to take further environmental initiatives in recent months. Through a partnership with Greenfleet, a leading not-for-profit environmental organisation, the port is now offsetting greenhouse gas emissions for all international and domestic corporate flights.
Planting approximately 775 native trees to establish a biodiverse forest will offset 208 tonnes of CO2-equivalent, generated as part of corporate flights between January 2018 and September 2019. Future emissions will be offset quarterly.
“We are also seeking to minimise and offset the port's improving the social, economic and environmental life of the Hunter Region and NSW.
The Port of Newcastle has also flicked the switch for fullyelectric vehicles across its operations in the latest step towards achieving its sustainability goals.
It has recently commissioned four Hyundai Ioniq electric vehicles, with the rest of the organisation's vehicles to transition by the end of 2021 as other suitable models become available.
Switching to electric vehicles will save more than 48 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
The Port of Newcastle is a major Australian trade gateway handling 4600 ship movements and 171 million tonnes of cargo each year. Its annual trade is worth about $25 billion to the New South Wales economy, but with a deepwater shipping channel operating at only 50% of its capacity and significant port land available for development, it is positioned for further expansion.
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