SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Major ports in the Southeast Asian region have joined the Port of Subic in its campaign for resilient, sustainable and carbon-neutral ports, committing on Wednesday, Oct. 16, to strengthen collective action in promoting best practices and expertise in these areas.
Ronnie Yambao, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) senior deputy administrator for operations, said heads of member-ports belonging to the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) signed a “Green Manifesto” on the first day of the 23rd INAP Convention here.
The manifesto expressed the group’s commitments to protect the marine environment in support of declared responsible growth objectives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, and in compliance with policies and regulations of the International Maritime Organization on Marine Environmental Protection.
It also stated INAP’s pledge to promote and implement plans and programs for carbon-neutral ports, improve disaster preparedness and resilience, and share best practices, experiences, and expertise to strengthen collective initiative in developing resilient, sustainable, and green ports.
The signatories included SBMA Chairman and Administrator Jose Aliño, for the Port of Subic; Jong Koo Yeo, CEO of Mokpo Newport Terminal Co., Ltd. of South Korea; Ali Sodikin, Executive Director 3 for PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero); Jia Funing, Deputy General Manager of Shandong Port Group, China; Kazuhiko Yokochi, Director General of the Kochi Prefectural Government, Department of Public Works, Japan; Francisco Comendador III, General Manager of Cebu Port Authority; and Analee Aguila, Port Manager of Philippine Port Authority, Davao.
Yambao, who formally welcomed delegates to the maritime convention, said the convention theme of “RESILIENT PORTS: Innovating Best Practices for Environmental Protection and Disaster Management” echo topics that are being addressed by world leaders.
The port officials capped the two-day meeting by planting trees at Subic’s Malawaan Park overlooking the port to show solidarity in their commitment for a green future.
SBMA Chairman Aliño, who is the incoming chairman of INAP, has previously championed the “Shore Power Connection for Carbon Neutral Ports” project, an SBMA initiative that he said will be the first of its kind in the country.
Aliño said that by providing shoreside electrical power to a ship at berth while its main and auxiliary engines are shut down, Subic would cut air pollution from ships at berth by 95 percent.
The SBMA chairman said other green projects in Subic would involve decarbonizing buildings and transportation, adopting low-carbon infrastructure designs, energy efficiency and conservation, leveraging renewable energy sources, as well as solid waste and waste water management.
The 23rd INAP convention here marked the fourth time that the Port of Subic hosted the maritime meeting.
Founded in 1998, INAP was formed to play a special role in creating environmental awareness, so as to minimize the ecological impact caused by industry and modernization. It also envisions an environmental-friendly society, and a peaceful and harmonious earth, while upholding the principles of friendly, harmonious co-existence among members. (Taktikom News and Features)
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