The following is the text of a news release from the Association of Canadian Port Authorities:
(BELLEDUNE, New Brunswick) (Aug. 20) — Green Marine and the Association of Canadian Port Authorities (ACPA) have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the goal of jointly expanding efforts to reduce the marine industry’s environmental footprint and encourage the industry to continuously improve its environmental performance.
The announcement was made in conjunction with the ACPA 56th annual General Meeting and Assembly taking place in Belledune, New Brunswick. The MOU was signed earlier this summer during Green Marine’s annual conference, GreenTech 2014, in Saint John, New Brunswick. The agreement will serve as a framework for the advancement of the Green Marine Environmental Program and increased collaboration on related initiatives. ACPA and Green Marine will also be working together to expand the participation of both ACPA member ports and terminal operators in the Green Marine Environmental Program.
"This agreement reflects the port authorities’ continued commitment to environmental sustainability,’’ said ACPA President Wendy Zatylny. "With this agreement, we will work together to develop additional tools and measures to strengthen the industry’s environmental performance.’’
"Green Marine looks forward to working closely with ACPA to advance the development of the environmental program and recruit additional companies to participate in Green Marine," said Green Marine Management Corp. President Raymond Johnston.
Both Green Marine and ACPA are seeking to establish a productive working relationship under this MOU. To that end, they’ve exchanged memberships, with Green Marine being a supporter of ACPA and ACPA, in turn, now an association member of the Green Marine Management Corp.
About ACPA
The Association of Canadian Port Authorities was founded in 1958 and groups together ports and related marine interests into one national association. ACPA represents all Canadian port authorities, various government entities and companies doing business in the marine sector, and is the leading association for the advocacy and advancement of the Canadian port industry. ACPA members contribute significantly to the local, regional and national economy of Canada, responsible for over 250,000 direct and indirect jobs and handling over $162 billion worth of goods annually.
Green Marine overview
Green Marine is a voluntary marine industry initiative with the goal of achieving levels of environmental performance that exceed regulatory requirements in areas such as air/land/water emissions. There are currently over 80 shipowners, port authorities, terminals and shipyards from coast to coast, in Canada and the United States, participating in the program. Green Marine certification process is rigorous and transparent: Results are independently verified every two years and each company’s individual results are published. Green Marine relevance and credibility is reflected through its growing number of supporters: More than 40 environmental groups and government departments/agencies have endorsed and help shape the environmental program. Green Marine is also drawing international recognition and received the Green Shipping Initiative of the Year at the Sustainable Shipping Awards 2011 in London.
