Environmental report published
For the seventh time in a row, the ports of Bremen were certified this year in accordance with the internationally recognized environmental management standard PERS (Port Environmental Review System).
The accompanying Environmental Report 2024 provides detailed insights into the measures, projects and key figures of the ports of Bremen and is available online in both German and English. Prepared in accordance with the PERS standard, the report contains, among other things, a comprehensive register of all significant environmental impacts and the applicable legal bases for the ports. The Senator for Economics, Ports and Transformation, Kristina Vogt, commented: “This award underlines the pioneering role of the ports in the field of environmental protection and reflects the great commitment of the port community in this area: everyone is united by an interest in actively promoting sustainable development in the ports. And this commitment has long since become a real competitive factor that plays an increasingly important role in maintaining and creating new jobs in the ports.”
The environmental strategy of the ports of Bremen was revised for the new certification in order to take current developments into account. The focus is on the goal of converting the overseas port to a CO2-neutral and significantly lower-emission operation by 2035. Among other things, Bremerhaven's recently confirmed connection to the hydrogen core network will play a role here, as this energy source could play a significant role for parts of port operations in the future. The current report also focuses on digitalization and artificial intelligence in order to further optimize processes and visualize monitoring data in a user-friendly way. These technologies support both the monitoring of air quality and the further development of projects such as Tide2Use, a digitalization project launched by bremenports together with scientific institutions for intelligent pumping station and lock control in the port.
Converting the overseas port
The environmental strategy of the ports of Bremen was revised for the new certification in order to take current developments into account. The focus is on the goal of converting the overseas port to a CO2-neutral and significantly lower-emission operation by 2035. Among other things, Bremerhaven's recently confirmed connection to the hydrogen core network will play a role here, as this energy source could play a significant role for parts of port operations in the future. The current report also focuses on digitalization and artificial intelligence in order to further optimize processes and visualize monitoring data in a user-friendly way. These technologies support both the monitoring of air quality and the further development of projects such as Tide2Use, a digitalization project launched by bremenports together with scientific institutions for intelligent pumping station and lock control in the port.
The PERS report also contains very specific environmental protection projects. For example, the ports of Bremen are actively contributing to the development of international guidelines for the environmentally friendly underwater cleaning of ship hulls. Research results from the CLEAN project are incorporated into the work of the IMO (International Maritime Organization) to protect the marine environment from biocides and microplastics. Another best-practice example from the ports of Bremen is the innovative use of dredged material as a resource in dyke construction, which combines ecological and economic benefits. The report also documents the comprehensive monitoring of water and air quality in the ports. Planned expansions, particularly in the monitoring of air quality, are also to be supported in this field by digitalization and artificial intelligence.
bremenports Managing Director Robert Howe: “This seventh successful certification is the result of close cooperation between bremenports, the port authority, the waterway police, various senatorial authorities, the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency and port customers such as Eurogate and BLG.With the renewed PERS certification and the continuous further development of the environmental strategy, the ports of Bremen are consolidating their role as pioneers for sustainable port development and active climate protection.” Katja von Bargen, who is responsible for development projects in the port development division at bremenports, was the driving force behind the process - and a true believer: “With this certification, we are proving that sustainability, climate and environmental protection are by no means just warm words at the ports of Bremen, but are part of everyday life and a real issue for the future”.
Further information and the current environmental report itself can be found on the environmental report website