Global industrial development has lead to increased ports and waterways trade flows. At the same time, there is a distinct movement of people towards (new) urban centers located in deltas and coastal regions all over the world. These developments can cause heavy strain on the environment around port and waterfront areas.
DHV’s green port concept actively tackles the challenges to create innovative solutions for these coastal hot-spots where people, environment, ports and industries meet.
What is a green port?
Green ports are ports that are maintained and operated in a sustainable way. They aim at conserving and, where possible, enhancing the quality of the surrounding environment. This ranges from the creation of healthy living and working conditions in and around the port area, to nature development as compensation for new port areas.
DHV has the know-how to tackle aspects of green ports and port operations such as:
- Clean and safe shipping;
- Water- and soil quality and nature development (flora and fauna, nature reserves);
- Community involvement and improvement of outdoor space and environment (quality of life, recreation, education);
- Energy and recycling (cost efficiency, cradle-to-cradle, onshore electricity);
- Sustainable transport (clean fuel, electric equipment);
- Environmental management of operations, dredging, maintenance, port activities.
Achieving and operating a green port
Achieving a green port status requires an investment in port operations as well as mind-set. An important tool is the creation of positive ‘greening’ incentives, ranging from rewarding clean ships and operators, to including nature and environmental values from the beginning of the planning and engineering phases. DHV can facilitate this process and help existing ports to adapt to new laws and legislations.
For new ports and industrial areas, we ensure that the plans and designs turn the port into a center of sustainable practices and procedures while keeping costs under control. Furthermore, we see to it that the transformation of an existing port into a green port happens in such a way that ongoing operations are minimally hindered.
DHV green port services
- Technical, environmental and financial/economic feasibility studies;
- Preliminary and full EIA including habitat restorations and mitigations;
- National and international environmental permits and juridical procedures including implementation and follow-up of IMO and MarPol Convention;
- Building with Nature / Working with Nature programs;
- Lifecycle and cradle-to-cradle management and implementation.