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Port Everglades joins Green Marine certification program

Port Everglades joins Green Marine certification program
Port Everglades is expanding its environmental efforts by signing on as a participant with Green Marine, said to be the largest voluntary environmental program for the maritime industry in North America.

Green Marine’s environmental program makes it possible for ports, terminal operators and shipping companies to voluntarily reduce their environmental footprint through a comprehensive program that addresses key environmental issues and criteria using 11 performance indicators including air emissions, community impacts, environmental leadership and more.

Participants are required to demonstrate year-over-year improvement in measurable ways to maintain their Green Marine certification. The program is transparent, with all results independently verified and made public.

'We have two major environmental projects underway at Port Everglades, so the timing is perfect for us to partner with Green Marine,' said Steven Cernak, chief executive and port director. 'They have a proven track record in assisting program participants to significantly increase their environmental performance.'

David Bolduc, Green Marine executive director, said Port Everglades is the first Florida port to join the certification program. Across the US and Canada, at least 85 port authorities, terminal operators, shipowners and shipyards are participating.

Currently under way is the port's Upland Mangrove Enhancement, which involves replacing an existing 8.7-acre mangrove conservation easement with a 16.5-acre upland conversion through planting approximately 70,000 new mangroves and wetland plants. The Upland Mangrove Enhancement is a project that is critical to the Southport Turning Notch Extension.

Port Everglades also recently opened the fully renovated Cruise Terminal 4, which was designed with the environment in mind and features high-efficiency and innovative lighting and air conditioning. Features include several wind and solar powered lights installed in the Terminal 4 parking lot. The terminal’s many energy-efficient improvements will qualify the facility to become certified through Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a first for Port Everglades.

LEED, a US Green Building Council program, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices.