Port Canaveral has been awarded Green Marine environmental certification in recognition of its environmental leadership and management.
The award was presented at the 2017 annual GreenTech conference held by Green Marine, which is marking its 10th anniversary as North America’s environmental certification program for the maritime industry.
Port Canaveral earned the certification in just over a year after achieving all the required performance indicators to become the 100th port to join the Green Marine environmental program.
“This certification is an important achievement for Port Canaveral,” said Port CEO Captain John Murray. “This award recognizes our commitment to strong environmental stewardship through measured and responsible growth. It is with this focus that Port Canaveral charts its future, with responsible leadership and a commitment to promoting greater sustainability.”
The Green Marine Program is a voluntary North American maritime industry certification initiative committed to advancing environmental excellence and promoting programs, plans and initiatives that focus on surpassing Federal and State regulatory requirements. Program applicants are required to submit annual Self-Evaluation Reports, which must successfully pass a third-party review and verification process. Applicants are reviewed on performance criteria ranging from waste management best practices, invasive species management, community initiatives and impact, spill prevention and environmental leadership. Port Canaveral exceeded regulatory requirements in all categories, earning the highest score possible in spill prevention, which includes storm water management and pollutant reduction.
“We’re constantly raising the bar as new regulations come into effect, improved technologies become readily available, and new emerging issues are introduced as additional priorities,” said David Bolduc, Green Marine’s executive director.