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Contecon Guayaquil SA (CGSA) has become the first South American port to obtain a carbon-neutral certification as it has committed itself to ensure eco-friendly and sustainable operations.
The certification, awarded by Ecuador Ministry of Environment and environmental ratings agency, Sambito SA, marks CGSA’s compliance to ISO 14064-1 standards that are directed towards greater sustainability initiatives.
José Antonio Contreras, CGSA’s CEO, said: “This certification highlights, above all, a conviction and responsibility to guarantee eco-friendly and sustainable operations with less contamination to the environment. This is our contribution for a better world.”
The container terminal, run by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), has set up a team to verify and create mechanisms to lower the port’s industrial emissions.
It has also sponsored the preservation of 14,600 ha of natural areas in Ecuador – 10,000 ha of mangrove forests and 4,600 ha of native forests – as part of mitigating efforts to reduce carbon emissions from port equipment.
ICTSI is making the effort to optimise energy-efficient operations across all its operations as it continues its enhancement of energy monitoring systems, expands the use of next generation energy-efficient cargo handling equipment and vehicle fleets.
Anders Kjeldsen, ICTSI senior vice president and regional head of the Americas, explained that CGSA’s recent achievement supports the group’s efforts to minimising the impact of port operations towards hinterland communities.
He said: “Beyond port efficiency, the ICTSI group has been making substantial investments to ensure an environmental-friendly supply chain, with the long term vision of being able to secure appropriate certifications for all ports – regardless of location, project age or stage of development.”