AAPA Signs Memorandum of Understanding Regarding EcoPorts

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and the ECO Sustainable Logistics Chain Foundation (ECO SLC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on June 27, during the AAPA XXII Latin American Congress of Ports in Bogotá, Colombia. The agreement is follow-on to an MOU with AAPA and the European Seaports Organization (ESPO). AAPA and ECO SLC, the delivery foundation for EcoPorts tools recognized by ESPO, have agreed to collaborate in providing access, training and organization of EcoPorts tools to support the environmental objectives of AAPA.

"Ecoports Tools starts as a process in a port organization of awareness of environmental effects of port operations and starts with a process of permanent environmental improvement and learning," explained ECO SLC Chairman Herman Journee. "Permanent learning starts with the exchanging of good environmental practices inside the port organization and between ports. In this way, a cost-effective and environmentally effective approach, the EcoPorts approach is introduced."

To earn EcoPort status, ports must complete a self-diagnoses-method checklist and provide data on the performance of their environmental management program. Ports must also supply an up-to-date maintenance of the ECO SLC International Benchmark of performance.

Immediately following the signing, Mr. Journee awarded EcoPort certification to the Colombian Port of Santa Marta. An AAPA Corporate member, Marta is the first non-European port to earn EcoPort status. 

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