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 by 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.As for the WP1 each partner has appointed a management team responsible for monitoring the implementation of the actions of each work package, collaborating with Overall Project Manager in order to assure the quality of work.Moreover, LP1 appointed (October 2012) a Project Manager who has the operational responsibility for the coordination of the sound implementation of the project (D.1.2.2).LP2 signed the contract with the Audit firm appointed for the expenditure verification reports for the Albanian partner (D.1.2.4).

Each partner has made an exhaustive research as regards the specifications of the website (WP2) and the study assessment of Environmental Aspects & Impacts (WP3).More in WP2 the potential programme for a one-day genuinely interactive Workshop (D.2.3.1) on Environmental Management Systems with participation encouraged and decided by all delegates.There was detailed discussion on the date and format of the Corfu-based Workshop and it was suggested that mid/late December would be preferable given the activity profile to optimize impact and attraction of the WS.LP1 has signed the contract for the Website-Forum (D.2.1.1) and the design-preparation of the Newsletters (D.2.1.3).The website is now under construction.However, the project web address is the following www.elportal.eu and Project Logo has been designed and delivered. LP2’s and P3’s project teams are collecting their port material and national and European environmental laws and directives to be provided to the website.

The Albanian content deployment will be available after the contracts D.2.1.2-Website Translation and D.5.1.4-(Translation of Key Environmental legislation in Albanian) have been delivered. The above mentioned contracts are now pending and LP2,P3 project teams are working on the technical specifications and tender preparation.During the meetings and in respect to the WP3 and WP4, common environmental problems have been approached and identified. Partners exchanged experience on a)port profile,port operations and marine traffic,b)environmental issues such as port waste management, dredging and dredging disposal,dust,noise,air quality,hazardous cargo,port development, which is related to land use, ship discharge policies,c)applicable laws and practices d)environmental management systems and related monitoring. LP1,P3 analyzed specifications with regards to study of Environmental Aspects.

The work plan set up during the kick off meetings has identified the next key tasks to be taken for project implementation. Joint Management Team has set a timetable in accordance with the approved application form providing details of the activities to be undertaken, the progress achieved against targets, timelines, expenditures incurred, and explanations for any variances against the initial plan. In terms of next 3 month planning, LP2 has already prepared the tenders for assigning the Study Assessment of Environmental Impact (D.3.1.1), as well as the Measurements of sea water, air pollution and noise (D.4.1.5) and will be soon proceed on procuring the tenders and signing the related contracts. LP2 Project Team is in continuous collaboration with Project Manager for drafting the technical specifications regarding the heating installations and the portable fire engine. P3 has nearly finished drafting tender specifications for procuring, at once, the deliverables as regards the Study Assessment of Environmental Impacts (D.3.1.1), the Environmental Measurements (D.4.1.5), the Environmental Management System (D.4.4.1) and the Environmental Information System (D.5.1.1). The contractor of the above mentioned will provide the joint Management Team the technical specifications for the Water Flow Meters and the related monitoring system (4.2.1 & 4.2.2 for all partners). The Joint Management Team will review, evaluate the specification and proceed on procuring the tenders.

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There are some ways about achieving environmental protection in the ports which are involved with the project, such as the reduction of waste at source, the reduction of the consumptions of natural resources, the prevention of pollution in each port, the reuse of materials, recycling and more. Thus there is a need for design and implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS).

Applying these needs to the port of Corfu, and by analyzing the scope of the project there is a initial plan about what is going to take place. The project is divided to the parts above:

Setting the project team and manager which ensures coordination and integration of activities . The project team members have some common characteristics, which features include technical skills in order to be able to resolve most of the technical problems that may arise, ability to focus on the problems, ability focus on goals and ability to interact.

Research and documentation of appropriate environmental legislation. Taking a closer look to the European and Greek environmental legislation about there are some tasks which we need to be specified such us:
Solid non-hazardous waste
Hazardous waste
Liquid wastes
Water Resources
Air pollution
Noise
Other general issues

There are also some requirements arising by licenses like:

Approval of Environmental Terms
Fire Safety certificate
Liquid waste disposal permits
Operation License

Diagnose and mapping the current situation. For further understanding of the current situation we need to analyze the activities of the company relating to the environment (Environmental Aspects). Select the most significant environmental impacts, examine the procedures carried out in different sections and specify the environmental problems/threats that very often arise as a result of maritime activities at the ports of Corfu such as older environmental incidents took place in the port of Corfu.

Informing management & personnel. Environmental Protection and Benefits of environmental management are going to involve entire staff of Corfu port in order to be informed and get familiar with the project.

Issue of the OLKE Environmental Policy. The objectives and principles on the environment are going to be reviewed and be up to date always in order to apply the Enviromental Management System in the port. Also the Greek law needs to be studied in order to fulfill the EMS.

The European EMAS Awards are prestigious awards environmental management and reimbursed by the European Commission in leading companies and public authorities from 2005 until today.

The aim of the European Awards is to promote the Community eco-management and control EMAS (EC Regulation No 1221/2009), as well as recognizing and rewarding the environmental efforts of the EMAS registered organizations that demonstrate a unique performance at the designated topic of awards each year.

Qualified for a total of 36 nominations from Member States of the European Union, the topic:

"Participation parties (stakeholders), including employees, to continuously improve environmental performance."

There are 5 steps that will lead OLKE in EMAS registration

1. Environmental review
2. Environmental management system
3. Environmental policy
4. Environmental audit
5. Registration by Competent Body

The main objectives applying EMAS on OLKE are

• Identification of the relevant legislation
• Recognition of the actual environmental situation
• Allocation of funds to environment according to port capacity & needs
• Ranking of environmental priorities
• Creation of on-going experience, knowledge and awareness

The Port of Corfu’s environment and sustainability program is centered upon a triple bottom line approach whereby our leadership continually evaluates port operations for opportunities to improve efficiencies, enhance customer service, reduce environmental impacts, and create programs that help build better communities.  Innovation and creativity are keys to CPA’s success. 

The Port of Corfu received the ISO 14001 certification in November 2012 for its environmental management system, or EMS.  The Port of Corfu is the first major port on Greece to receive the ISO 14001 certification. As of November 30, 2012, the Port of Corfu is the only Ionian port to have all its operation facilities ISO 14001 Certified for Environmental Management.

Port of Corfu has received ISO 14001 through the SUPORTS project funded by the Interreg IVC programme, however, CPA’s ISO 14001 experience will be used to transfer knowledge to the Port of Saranda & Port of Igoumenitsa for establishing and implementing their Environmental Management System under the ELPORTAL project.

The concept of port environmental management has developed markedly in Europe during the last 15 years. The progress was driven by mutual collaboration between the port sector, research institutions and specialist organisations. The framework for this mutual collaboration was developed through joint activities instigated and funded by primary port partners and part-funded by EC Research and Development Programmes such as Eco- Information (1997-2000) and ECOPORTS (2002-2005). The cooperation between port professionals, academic researchers and specialist organisations has proved to be a potent mix in terms of delivering a functional framework of cost-effective solutions developed to implement policies and produce continuous improvement of the port environment. In view of the differences between ports and the changing nature of the environmental challenges that ports face, the establishment of an environmental management framework or system is considered of utmost importance by ESPO. A systematic approach to environmental management enables the continuous identification of an individual port’s priorities while introduces a functional organisational structure that sets respective targets, implements measures, monitors impact, evaluates, reviews and takes corrective actions when and where necessary. In this way ports can achieve and demonstrate continuous environmental improvement.

Assisting tools and methodologies

The EcoPorts tools and methodologies provide a proven overarching framework that assists ports in their environmental management. EcoPorts became an integral part of ESPO in January 2011. The EcoPorts tools became part of the services that ESPO provides to its member ports through the online platform at www.ecoports.com.

Self Diagnosis Method (SDM)

The Self Diagnosis Method (SDM) is a well‐established and widely adopted, time and cost‐efficient methodology for identifying environmental risk and establishing priorities for action and compliance. SDM is a concise checklist against which port managers can self‐assess the environmental management programme of the port in relation to the performance of both the sector and international standards. The SDM checklist addresses the fields of environmental policy (placing the focus on activities, aspects, objectives and targets), management organization and personnel, environmental training, communication, operational management, emergency planning, monitoring, auditing and review. Individual port responses are treated confidentially and SDM is by no means a “pass” or “fail” exercise. The responses of the port managers are entered into a database and this contributes to the build‐up of the port sector’s benchmark of performance.

On completion of the checklist the port authority joins the EcoPorts network and obtains access to the other ESPO services namely the SDM Review and Port Environmental Review System (PERS). Ports are encouraged to submit their SDM for review in order to receive confidential feedback and advice. The individual port responses are treated anonymously and in strict confidence. The analytical review includes: (a) a projection of the port’s answers against the European benchmark of performance, (b) a GAP analysis between the port’s current organisation and performance and the requirements of established environmental management standards (ISO 14001 and PERS), (c) a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) identification of the port’s environmental management performance, and (d) an analytical report containing expert’s advice and recommendations on the current status and the further development of the port’s environmental management program. The use of the SDM tool over time provides a consistent periodic review of progress. The results obtained from SDM can be used effectively in annual reports and the information collected can be incorporated directly into more formal review systems. In addition, SDM assists in the implementation of the ESPO policy recommendations. Ports around Europe find SDM to be a highly effective tool for developing their environmental management programme, as well as in reporting progress and raising environmental awareness of staff internally within the port organisation. The nature of the tool makes it applicable and beneficial for ports of different sizes and at different stages of development regarding their environmental priorities. SDM is being used by some of the largest ports in Europe, by ports with a progressive environmental policy that are already certified by an EMS (e.g. PERS, ISO 14001 or EMAS), as well as by small ports that want to initiate a process of self-assessment and to create awareness of environmental issues.

Port Environmental Review System (PERS)

Over the last 10 years and having the continuous support and recognition of ESPO, the Port Environmental Review System (PERS)7 has firmly established its reputation as the only port‐sector specific environmental management standard. PERS stems from work carried out by the ports themselves and it is specifically designed to assist port authorities with the functional organisation necessary to deliver the goals of sustainable development. The overriding ports element is especially important.

There is plenty of advice available on general environmental topics but the highly specialised nature of the environmental challenges in the port area that port authorities face, means that a “custom made” approach is absolutely vital. While incorporating the main generic requirements of recognised environmental management standards (e.g. ISO 14001), PERS is adapted to deliver effective port environmental management and its implementation can be independently certified by Lloyd’s Register. Furthermore, the scheme effectively builds upon the policy recommendations of ESPO and gives ports clear objectives at which to aim.

Port interests are increasingly under pressure to confirm compliance with environmental legislation, report on environmental quality, and measure the effectiveness of the management system itself. Many ports have therefore an interest in introducing an Environmental Management System in their port but find it difficult to make personnel available for its introduction. PERS addresses this challenge being credible and at the same time user friendly and not too demanding in terms of resources and time. Being developed by ports for ports PERS is designed to deliver key elements, such as an environmental policy statement, a standard description of the actual set up of the port’s environmental management organisation, and an overview of the environmental aspects of port’s activities.

Apart from the EcoPorts tools, there are also well established environmental management standards that ports may choose to implement such as ISO 14001 and EMAS. Although not being sector specific, ISO 14001 and EMAS are widely recognised by stakeholders and general public.

ISO 14001

The ISO 140018 standard specifies requirements for an environmental management system to enable an organization to develop and implement a policy and objectives which take into account legal and other requirements to which the organisation subscribes, and information about significant environmental aspects. It applies to those environmental aspects that the organisation identifies as those which it can control and those which it can influence. It does not itself state specific environmental performance criteria. ISO 14001 is applicable to any organization that wishes to establish, implement, maintain and improve an environmental management system, to assure itself of conformity with its stated environmental policy, and to demonstrate conformity with ISO 14001 by:

1. making a self-determination and self-declaration, or

2. seeking confirmation of its conformance by parties having an interest in the organisation, such as customers, or

3. seeking confirmation of its self-declaration by a party external to the organisation, or

4. seeking certification/registration of its environmental management system by an external organisation.

All the requirements in ISO 14001 are intended to be incorporated into any environmental management system. The extent of the application will depend on factors such as the environmental policy of the organisation, the nature of its activities, products and services and the location where and the conditions in which it functions.

EMAS

The EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) is a management tool for companies and other organizations to evaluate, report and improve their environmental performance. The scheme has been available for participation by companies since 1995 and was originally restricted to companies in industrial sectors. Since 2001 EMAS has been open to all economic sectors including public and private services. In 2009 the EMAS Regulation was revised and modified for the second time. Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the voluntary participation by organisations in a Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) was published on 22 December 2009 and entered into force on 11 January 2010.

[*] NEW ESPO GREEN GUIDE, http://www.espo.be/images/stories/Publications/codes_of_practice/espo_green%20guide_october%202012_final.pdf

Dredging experts meet in Piombino through SuPorts