On the 13/11/2012 a local workshop in Himara took place. Saranda Port invited people from Vlore Port as well as local people to participate in the workshop aiming at transferring knowledge on environmental management all port are trying to establish.

Sustainability is the capacity to endure. In ecology, the word describes how biological systems remain diverse and productive over time. Long-lived and healthy seaways and atmosphere are examples of sustainable biological systems. To this extent,all project partners are committed to reduce air pollution, greenhouse gases, conserve energy and water resources through their activities taking into account the most significant environmental convention of MARPOL73/78. Their support includes conducting water and air quality measurements and land use planning, providing recreational opportunities, preserving open space and wildlife.All actions to be made in the project, beginning from the adoption of common practices and approaches (WP3), the certified environmental management system and the actions taken and supplies made to reach this (WP4),the after life communication plan and activities such as the Environmental Information Centre (WP6), WebSite (WP2) and Environmental Information System (WP5) show partners committment to creating a sustainable project and ensure mid-/long term stability of results.It worths also mentioning that the project is planned to have a long life duration.Thus,both partners will try to reassure its after-life implementation by 1)daily operating the Environmental Information System, renewing the content, 2)constantly operating the Website together with the Environmental Information System, 3)enriching its content, updating legislation,uploading studies and best practices,keeping up with exchanging knowledge via the forum/mail/etc, 4)trying to get real-time environmental measurements through the installation of the respective equipment 5)yearly renewing of EMAS registration and Environmental Management practices, 6)expanding water flow meter network, either with own funds or with raising EU funds from other ERDF programs.

The expected outputs of the project are:

1) a website-forum (with provisions for disabled people accessibility-W3C), where content relevant to general environmental aspects as well as information about the area will be uploaded, all the joint activities and practices to be implemented will be disseminated, exchange of experience and transfer of knowledge will be communicated and questions-answers by stakeholders will be submitted and problems will be highlighted.
The items to be covered are:
the promotion and dissemination of common environmental practices, co-operation between the ports, information on progress monitoring and control of environmental programs, public awareness about local community environmental activities and actions taken by each port, submission of questions, comments and discussions from the local community and interested parties, library of environmental  law and other legislation relating to port operations,environmental news and best practices;

2)training courses for the port staff,designed to meet the needs of professionals involved in the proper,implementation of environmental management;

3)a common method for reporting on joint environmental projects,developed in order to support each port in the implementation of the joint environmental policy;

4)equipment and operations to facilitate the monitoring, control and management of solid-liquid waste and air pollution–noise;

5)equipment and operations that will be supplied in order to reduce energy consumption,and equipment tailored to control and monitor natural resources waste (water flow meter),

6)equipment for fire extinguishing systems to be used for the efficient management of emergency situations;

7)Environmental Management Systems will be developed and installed in ports, leading eventually to certification and EMAS registration;

8)Center for Environmental Information and Education that will contributes to the diffusion of environmental actions and to the public awareness

In general, the overall expected results of the projects are foreseen to be the following:

1)the consensus that will be reached by the project partners with respect to the environmental issues arising in the area,providing a clearer focus on the protection, conservation and sustainable use of the area’s marine environment with a view to sustainable development;

2)the enhancement of joint environmental actions that will also take into account human activities;

3)the prevention of environmental accidents by means of coordinated actions,such as:the installation of proper equipment for water management, the supply of depollution float dam, the proper measurement of air and seawater quality, the planning of emergency situations, the adoption of improved energy efficient systems and the installation of fire extinguishers;

4)the implementation of infrastructure works, as planting trees and extensive road works along the marine for noise reduction;

5)a significant raise in the quality of living standards for residents of the town and the region near the ports;

6)raised levels of awareness and stimulation of both local people and visitors/tourists (summing up to more than 1,4 million per year only in Corfu Port Authority) about environmental issues via the web forum, information leaflets, conferences and, finally, the establishment of an Environmental Information Kiosk at Corfu Port; the latter will provide useful information about the local climate, environmental actions taken by each port, environmental news, location of recycling bins in the area, etc,

7)a considerable improvement of the environmental performance by means of the certification for the Environmental Management System;

8) the development of the Environmental Information System used to electronically manage and control sea water/air, etc. measurements, to measure water pipe flows, to facilitate experience exchange, to transfer knowledge via e-libraries and the forum, to provide historical data to the general public etc.