Sector - Ports
The ports sector includes marine cargo loading and unloading, operation of port and waterfront terminals (i.e., piers/docks/buildings), and in some cases, operations and maintenance of public airports. In addition, projected port growth will have tremendous implications for intermodal transportation, e.g. ships, trucks, and trains, as well as property and land utilized for port activity.
Numerous public seaports from around the country have implemented or are implementing environmental management systems (EMSs). The resources below provide EMS tools, case studies, the benefits realized, procedures and training, frequently asked questions, and points-of-contact from public seaports that have developed EMSs.
The US EPA Region III Port Sector Compliance Workshop for Seaport Operations - June 4, 2009
The US EPA Region III, Maryland Department of the Environment, US Coast Guard, Maryland Port Administration, and Baltimore Port Alliance Environmental Committee hosted the Compliance Assistance Workshop at the Vane Brothers Facility in Baltimore MD. Speakers discussed the importance of partnerships and working together on compliance issues as well as covered compliance standards for numerous media.
To view the speaker presentations and a list of workshop participants please click on the links below:
Panel Discussion: Media Laws that Typically Apply to the Port Sector
- NPDES/Stormwater - Joe Reyna, EPA Fort Meade, MD
- SPCC Regulations - Garth Connor, US EPA Region III
- RCRA - Garth Connor, US EPA Region III
Where Can I Go for Help?
Tools for Improving Your Compliance
Additional Resources
- Maryland Department of Environment Compliance Permit and Website Resource Sheet
- Port Sector Compliance Assistance for Marine Terminal Operators Fact Sheet
The 3rd AAPA/GETF Environmental Management Assistance Project Held Kick Off Workshop in Long Beach, California, January 20-22, 2009.
“The Port of Long Beach was honored to host the first workshop for this latest round of participants” said Matt Arms, Senior Environmental Scientist. “We are very excited and committed to build on the success of our previous EMS fenceline and our SMS [security management system] and look forward to learning from the other ports as well”. The Port of Long Beach also sponsored one of their terminals, California United Terminals, to participate in the program. This is the first time the program was open to terminal operators to participate.
Georgia Ports Authority, South Carolina State Ports Authority and Port of San Diego were also participants in the three day training program. Hope Moorer, Program Manager at Georgia Ports Authority and a long time supporter of EMS cited “the training session was probably the best that I've been to. Relevant, and concentrated on the pertinent information.”
This first workshop gave the participants an opportunity to meet each other to share information in an informal environment. As a group, participants received instruction, reviewed case studies and participated in workshop exercises. To supplement the classroom learning aspect of the workshop, the Port of Long Beach provided a wonderful boat cruise tour of the harbor that allowed representatives from the other ports to see port operations at Long Beach.
The next regional workshops will be held in South Carolina and San Diego this summer.
Sector Spotlight:
Manual of Best Management Practices for Port Operations and Model EMS
Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute
This report identifies dominant environmental issues at Great Lakes ports; catalogues best management practices (BMPs) for each issue; designs a simplified "EMS-like" tool for small ports with limited staff and budgetary resources; catalogues examples of environmental "success" stories at Great Lakes ports.