On the 25th and 26th of June, the Corfu Port Authority organized the 2nd Annual Conference of the SuPorts project. More than 50 ports managers and experts attended the 2 working days which did more than assessing the current achievements of the project but enabled to get new experiences, to review the evolving European legislation as well as discussing environmental management systems as well as port certifications (PERS, EMAS, ISO 14001).

Below, you can download documents in relation with this SuPorts event.

Find first here the Agenda. Then you will find for each day, all presentations per session delivered during this 2 days' conference. You can also directly read the reported conclusions of these 2 days content.

Day 1

Session 1 : Policy Elements

Session 2 : Case studies

Day 2

Session 1 : Application of EPF environmental management tools.

Session 2 : Emas, iso 14001, PeRs and other Port environmental
management systems. Pros, Cons and Differences regarding Local Ports

On the 16th of July a kick off meeting was organized in Corfu. Project Leader explained administrative work that need to be carried out by project partners. Corfu Port detailed the role of Saranda Port, as regards progress reports, paid out procedures, implementation of the project and connection with activities. The programme manual has been distributed to Saranda port whereas some key points of it were explained.

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.

The project leader has ensured timely commencement of the project by holding 2 kickoff meetings in Corfu (16/7/12 & 27/9/12).During the 2 meetings,the objectives and targets of ELPORTAL were discussed and LP1 detailed the role and benefits of each port.The overall structure of the joint management team of the project was outlined and agreed and a detailed work plan was prepared (LP1,P3) setting out the tasks to be undertaken as part of the project, the role of the project partners in their implementation and the project budget. To summarize project progress:

WP1-D.1.2.2-Project Management. (LP1). Contract has been signed and is now ongoing.
WP1-D.1.2.4-Expenditure Verification Report. (LP2).Saranda Port signed the contract with the Audit firm appointing the expenditure verification reports services for the Albanian partner.
WP1-D.1.3.1-2 Kick of Meetings (all partners) were hold in Corfu (16/7/2012 & 27/9/2012).LP1,P3 prepared the detailed project work plan.
WP2-D.2.1.1-Website-Forum.
(LP1).Contract has been signed and is now ongoing.Project Website and Forum is in progress.
WP2-D.2.1.3-Newsletters.(LP1).Contract has been signed and is now ongoing. 1st newsletter will be issued in November 2012.
WP3-D.3.1.1-Study-Assessment of Environmental Aspects & Impacts. (LP1). Contract has been signed and is now ongoing.P3 provided specs & analyzed requirements for actions 3.1 & 4.1.
WP4-D.4.1.5-Conduction of Measurements of Sea Water Quality, Air Pollution And Noise Disturbance(LP1).Contract has been signed and is now ongoing. First environmental measurements has been conducted and lab results communicated to LP1.LP2,P3 provided LP1 activity reports.It worths mentioning that on 25/6/12,LP2 had a very first meeting with LP1 aiming at getting to know professionals and Corfu Port staff as well as to obtain a very first overview of project objectives,aims and expected results.

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.