May 13, 2010 Port
The UK Port of Felixstowe cut its carbon emissions by 8% in 2009, according to its annual Environmental Report, which provides details of the environmental impact the port has on its surrounding area.

“We take the effect our operations have on the environment very seriously and are constantly striving to reduce the impact we cause,” said David Gledhill, CEO of Hutchison Ports (UK), which owns Felixstowe.

“It is not only in absolute terms that we have managed to reduce emission, that would be quite easy in a recession, we have also succeeded in reducing emissions on a per unit basis as well, showing that we are becoming more efficient in every container we handle.”

The port calculated that the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per teu was reduced from 19.8kg to 19kg in 2009 and is confident of a further downward trend over the coming year.

Claiming to do more than any other port in the UK to reduce its carbon footprint, Gledhill said that the port is constantly investing in new equipment and upgrading to more carbon efficient machinery.

This includes the first delivery of nine new rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) for Felixstowe South, which have up to 40% lower emissions than conventional models.

Felixstowe is also progressing various other projects to improve its environmental performance, including working with the Carbon Trust to develop its carbon management programme, reducing energy used in buildings, lighting and equipment, as well as increasing the amount of waste sent for recycling.