Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct.17
Trend:
Port of Baku became the first port in the Caspian region to be awarded the European Sea Ports Organization (ESPO)'s PERS -"EcoPorts" certificate, Trend reports with reference to press office of the port.
The Port Environmental Review System (PERS) is Europe's port sector specific environmental management standard that raises awareness on environmental protection and helps ports reach sustainable development targets. It encourages application of the cutting-edge technologies, particularly in aspects of energy use, waste management, air quality, digitalization and automation.
"For the Port of Baku, becoming an EcoPort embodies a genuine belief in a green and sustainable future. It is the tedious work in the last three years by the Port of Baku staff and its European partners that resulted in today's recognition. Through its eco-conscious policies, the Port of Baku will continue to set an example to follow for other ports in the region," Director General of the Port of Baku Taleh Ziyadov said within the framework of the awarding ceremony on October 16th.
In her turn, ESPO's Secretary General Isabelle Ryckbost congratulated the Port of Baku for obtaining the PERS certificate.
"The relationship with the local community is of outmost importance for port authorities and EcoPorts contributes to further enhancing transparency and accountability of the port sector. EcoPorts' environmental standard requires making port's environmental policy publicly available and well communicated to the local community and the port stakeholders. With the certification of the Port of Baku, not only the port is breaking new ground, but also the EcoPorts network is now expanding further to the east," Ryckbost said.
According to the information, there are 34 EcoPorts in Europe, including busiest ports such as Port of Rotterdam and Port of Barcelona. The Port of Baku has been working closely with the European Union in enhancing its operational efficacy, port management, environmental and risk management policies. It has already achieved ISO 9001: 2015, OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001 certifications. It has also integrated UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in its business processes and operations.
The Port of Baku is the oldest and largest port on the Caspian Sea. For centuries, Port of Baku served as a link between East and West, alongside the ancient Silk Road, as well as North-South transport corridor that connects North Europe and Russia with Middle East and South Asia.