PORT OPERATIONS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Port construction and operation are compulsory development activities with potentially massive economic, social and environmental impacts. They have often created numerous and difficult environmental challenges. The magnitude and impact of some of these problems are only now being understood. They can be expensive to mitigate and affect natural activities inland of the port.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE

1. Dredged materials: removal/disposal 2. Hydrological imbalance: Saline intrusion 3. Changes in the shoreline 4. Habitat destruction/relocation 5. Introduction of rigid structures and hard surfaces: Disruption of wave dynamics Compromise the natural coastal defence systems Possible contamination (fill material, etc.)

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS DURING THE OPERATIONAL PHASE

Environmental problems during port operation are fairly similar for ports handling similar cargoes: i.Tanker ports: oil – tank washing, oil fires, pipeline ruptures, oilrig blowouts ii.Bulk cargo ports: spilling of inert materials - ores, grains, paper, etc., hazardous chemicals, etc. iii.Naval ports: explosions, radiation, oil

GENERIC ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

1. To varying degrees, all the problems experienced during construction 2. Runoff – water and soil pollution 3. Waste generation and disposal – dry docks, bilge and other SGW, oil, etc. 4. Introduction of invasive species 5. Continued construction – expansion of hard surfaces, dredging 6. Air, noise, thermal and visual pollution

SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

1. Bilge and fuel oil discharges by ships using the facilities to load, unload, and refuel 2. Bilge and fuel oil discharges by ships undergoing repair and maintenance operations 3. Organic waste inputs from ship and dockside sewage 4. Solid garbage from port facilities, waste packaging, and shipboard solid waste

5. Spills and discharges of cargo, chemicals, detergents and hazardous substances 6. Metals, organo-metals, and other biocides from bottom paint and tank treatments 7. Waste from ship refits, repairs and construction including general garbage, PCBs from scrapped electronic equipment, and toxic substances such as left-over paints and chemicals 8. Visual and noise pollution from lights, equipment, port activities, and engines 9. Thermal pollution from cooling effluents.

10. Direct impacts to the substrate and water quality from dredging activities, and resultant waste in the form of spoil that is often contaminated and ought to be disposed of responsibly 11. Air pollution from ships exhaust, facility vehicles, and the release of fumes, gases and volatile components of cargo, maintenance products, and fuel 12. Soil contamination from spills, leaching, and on-site dumping.

Environmental Impact Assessment A comprehensive and professionally conducted set of EIAs is a first and logical step to port development, planning and operation. By weaving environmental considerations into port development negative environmental impacts can be reduced: substantial reduction in long-term costs from damage to the environment, resource- based industries, and competing economic interests can be achieved.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

CONT. EMS The systematic application of business management principles to environmental issues. Documented and generally standardized outline of procedures, systems, rules.

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