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The Port of Tarragona in Spain has received its first PERS certification according to the environmental management standard EcoPorts. This certification represents a significant step in the port’s environmental management strategy, which has been a member of EcoPorts since 2014. Representatives of the port were pleased with the official certificate (from left to right):
- Carles Segura Ballesté – Head of Operations and Sustainability
- Laura Bonachi Texier – Environment Manager
- Rafael Lopez-Monne – Chief of Sustainability
- Santiago Castella Surribas – President of the Port
- Cristina Miret Casals – Chief of Environment
- Silvia Perez Perez de Albeniz – Environment Manager
- Laura Daniel Pena – Trainee
- Josep M. Maceira Barbosa – Director of the Port.
Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary General of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO), congratulated the Port of Tarragona on this award and highlighted the port’s efforts to become more sustainable. These efforts include an ambitious plan for the development of shore power facilities, initiatives for water conservation, and measures to reduce energy consumption as well as to promote rail transport.
Tim Verhoeven, Senior Policy Advisor and Coordinator of EcoPorts at ESPO, also emphasized the importance of the PERS certification. He stated that this award reflects the port’s commitment to sustainability, particularly in the areas of decarbonization, energy efficiency, and biodiversity protection. Verhoeven praised the port’s ongoing efforts to improve environmental performance and to foster collaboration with stakeholders and the general public.
According to ESPO, the Port Environmental Review System (PERS) is the only port-specific environmental standard. In the past five years, recognition and membership in this system have increased. Currently, 80 ports from 24 countries belong to the EcoPorts network, with 32 ports having received the PERS certification. Compliance with the PERS standard is independently verified by LRQA Nederland B.V., and the certification is valid for two years. After this period, the PERS system will be reviewed to ensure that ports continue to meet the requirements.
