Environment: Canaveral, Corpus Christi
Port Canaveral Earns Green Marine Certification
Green Marine has awarded Port Canaveral environmental certification in recognition of the port’s effective environmental leadership and management.
Green Marine is a voluntary environmental certification program for the maritime industry in North America. The award was presented during the organization’s GreenTech 2017 conference May 30-June 1 in Ft. Lauderdale.
Port Canaveral earned the certification in just over a year after achieving all the required performance indicators to become the 100th port to join the Green Marine environmental program.
Green Marine program applicants are required to submit annual Self-Evaluation Reports, which must successfully pass a third-party review and verification process. Applicants are reviewed on performance criteria ranging from waste management best practices, invasive species management, community initiatives and impact, spill prevention, and environmental leadership. Port Canaveral exceeded regulatory requirements in all categories, earning the highest score possible in spill prevention, which includes storm water management and pollutant reduction.
"This certification is an important achievement for Port Canaveral," said Port CEO Captain John Murray. "This award recognizes our commitment to strong environmental stewardship through measured and responsible growth. It is with this focus that Port Canaveral charts its future, with responsible leadership and a commitment to promoting greater sustainability."
Port Canaveral Director of Environmental, Bob Musser (left) accepts the Green Marine Certification from Green Marine Executive Director David Bolduc
Photo/Port Canaveral
Port Corpus Christi Again Achieves Seamless ISO 14001 Certification
The Port of Corpus Christi Authority has again received SO 14001 certification for its Environmental Management System (EMS). An external audit was performed and completed with no non-conformances or findings. This year marks the 10th consecutive year for the Port Corpus Christi EMS to achieve this distinction.
The ISO 14001 certification under the International Organization for Standardization establishes criteria for effective environmental management systems. Certification can provide assurance to company management and employees as well as external stakeholders that environmental impact is being measured and improved.
"This is a phenomenal achievement for our port," said Charles W. Zahn, Jr., Port of Corpus Christi Authority Commission Chairman. "Our port is committed to a sustainable future for South Texas, and caring for our environment is critical to this commitment. Congratulations to all of our employees on achieving this designation for the tenth year in a row."
The Port of Corpus Christi Authority has established EMS at its Public Cargo Docks, Maintenance Facilities, and Bulk Materials Terminal. Port customers and stakeholders may also participate in the EMS program. The EMS is aimed at reducing environmental impact of operations at Port Corpus Christi, and promoting environmental stewardship.
Just recently, the Port of Corpus Christi also earned Green Marine certification. The results were verified on May 23 for seven performance indicators and it was noted that the Port of Corpus Christi achieved and exceeded in some instances self-claimed scores within each environmental performance indicator area. Green Marine is an environmental benchmarking certification program for the maritime industry.