The agreement calls for the ports to share information and experiences that will enhance existing programmes to improve air, water, soil and wildlife quality. It is part of an initiative sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency known as ‘International Sustainable Ports and Carriers Partnership’, which involves ports in the USA and other countries forming partnerships that help to improve the environment.
Ernesto L. Butcher, deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said: “Our port has achieved a national reputation for pioneering environmental programmes that will ensure the region’s sustainability for years to come.
“We’ve purchased and preserved key parcels of environmentally sensitive property, we’re investing US$530m to build new ship-to-rail facilities at port terminals to reduce the dependence on trucks to move cargo, and we’re retrofitting Staten Island ferries with cleaner-burning engines, to name just a few of our ongoing programmes. We applaud the Port of Rotterdam for sharing our vision, and we look forward to working closely with them well into the future.”
Pieter Struijs, senior executive vice president at the Port of Rotterdam, commented: “I am convinced that within our competitive port businesses there is still room for enhancing sustainable port development. We are extremely happy that the old friendship between our ports will become the basis for further environmental improvement.”
