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The port of Sohar has recently launched its inaugural Environmental Management Programme in conjunction with Oman’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA). The five-day programme saw 10 MECA employees collaborate with Sohar’s Environmental Unit in a bid to strengthen ties between the two organizations and share knowledge. Despite having one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world 0.17%. Oman has signaled its intention to ensure economic growth does not come at the expense of its rich natural ecosystems and biodiversity, and the new programme reflects a desire to increase understanding and cooperation in the environmental field.
Sohar’s executive commercial manager, Edwin Lammers, says, “We take the potential impact of increased productivity on carbon emissions and climate change very seriously. In 2013, for example, we became the first port in the Middle East to introduce a reward scheme for ships that qualify under the Environmental Ship Index (ESI)’s clean ship system.”
The Sohar scheme means clean vessels calling at the port are able to claim a rebate on their port charges, based on their ESI score. The port of Sohar was also the first in the Middle East, and one of an elite group of 30 ports and harbours worldwide, to have entered the Green Award Scheme, which encourages ships and ship-owners to embrace environmentally-friendly operations.
Environmental issues were also reflected upon when Sohar Port and Freezone held a small ceremony to mark World Maritime Day on 26th September. Chief executive Andre Toet declared that the timing was right for worldwide cooperation on issues like the shipping industry’s carbon footprint, waste management and crew safety.
“The world’s largest ships are now capable of carrying over 18,000 containers. These vessels have a much-reduced carbon footprint when compared with their predecessors, and hold great promise for the future of sea trade. But they still account for a very small proportion of the world’s commercial fleet,” said Mr Toet.
“At the same time, we still know very little about how the upcoming mandate to cut sulphur oxide in fuel to 0.1 per cent will be implemented, and the impact that it will have on commercial shipping. This presents a challenge, but the technology at our disposal means it is something that we can overcome,” he added.
Mr Toet took the opportunity to confirm that he is preparing an ‘announcement of significance’ to the industry when a delegation from the Omani port attends an international conference in Singapore next month. He also said that South America- based shipping line, CSAV, will start to call into Sohar after the company reached a vessel sharing agreement to expand its existing CMX services connecting the Middle East and China.
