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Meridian Port Services Ltd. Takes Lead in Green Port Transition
The GMA organised the first ever International Green Shipping Conference in Accra...
The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) in partnership with the Danish Embassy in Ghana, Danish Maritime Authority and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) organised the first ever International Green Shipping Conference in Accra.
The 2-day Conference was opened by Ghana’s Minister for Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah and the Secretary General of the International Meantime Organization, Kitack Lim, and saw delegates from 15 countries including Ghana, Egypt, The Gambia, Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire, and Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco, Liberia, Netherlands as well as representation from the Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) and the IMO.
Participants discussed the global green transition as well as the opportunities and benefits for Africa based on IMO’s agenda of Seizing Opportunities for Developing Countries in the provision of “Zero Carbon Fuels”.
The CEO of MPS, Mr. Mohamed Samara joined a panel which was moderated by the Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Mr Michael Luguje. The panel also consisted of Mr. Tauqueer Ahmed, the Head of Engineering Centre of Excellence for Transnet National Ports Authority, Port of Ngqura, South Africa and Mad. Frida Youssef, Chief of Transport Section at the Trade Logistics Branch of UNCTAD.
Responding to a question on what ports can do to support green transition of shipping, Mr. Samara used examples of MPS achievements to showcase what is possible.
Infrastructure and Machinery
He highlighted that The MPS Terminal 3 Port Infrastructure Expansion design incorporated into its environmental considerations from through construction to operation phases while the Terminal 3 Buildings offices are IFC EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) Certified. The MPS Workshop Maintenance Building is the first light industrial building to be EDGE certified in Africa.
Operations
All operational activities and processes are ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) 45001 (Safety Management System) and 9001 (Quality Management System) Certified this is including Cargo Handling, Storage and Supporting Transport Activities Including Implementation Of Pedestrian Free Yard Concept and GREEN TERMINAL CONCEPT
Digitalization
Another successful transformation introduced by MPS is the complete digitalisation of the cargo clearance process within its facility starting with Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and real-time updates with Customs and Shipping Lines. This is followed by the E-invoicing and E-payment capabilities available to all stakeholders. The Gate Operating System of MPS Terminal 3 constitutes of elaborate and interconnected gate technologies including the License Plate Recognition (LPR) for recognizing vehicles’ numbers, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for recognizing containers’ numbers and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) which identifies trucks that utilize the terminal.
As an additional measure, all port drivers have been registered unto a biometric database to provide Biometric Access Control (BAC). Also installed are Weighbridges Drive-Through X-Ray Scanners operated by Customs and linked to the customs system. The Terminal has instituted a Truck Appointment System (TAS) that allows for freight forwarders to pre-book appointments before accessing the port. These have been fully integrated with the Terminal operating System (TOS) to provide process automation for drivers with pre-booked cargo tasks to eliminate congestion which translates into less emissions within the Terminal.
To answer the question of what can be done in terms of reducing the emissions form port operations, he stated that through the shareholders, there has been a heavy investment in electric-powered quay and yard gantry cranes (STS and eRTGs). The acquisition of these cranes means that there is less dependence of diesel which reduces the release of pollutants into the air in line with the UN SDG Goal 13.
Green Terminal label
In 2020, the MPS Terminal 3 became certified as a Green Terminal following an audit conducted by an independent third party, Bureau Veritas.
The Green Terminal environmental labelling process is based on more than 250 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and categorised into four levels. The evaluation culminated in MPS becoming the first container terminal in the Bolloré Ports network to obtain the Green Terminal label, achieving the highest score with 86.58% with two-star rating (the highest rating achieved by all participating ports and terminals).
This demonstrates MPS commitment to reducing the environmental impacts of its activities, including further reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
Way Forward
In his closing remarks, Mr. Samara said, “This is a step in the right direction and there is need to examine underlying factors that may hamper the realisation of the transition such as establishing companies to produce/supply affordable renewable energy to ensure “no one is left behind”.
Government and policy makers must also expedite works to expand intermodal / rail transport connections from Port and provide incentives for shipping lines and port actors to invest in renewable / biofuels. On our part, MPS will continue to find ways to strengthen stakeholder collaboration for continuous environmental improvement.”
In the long run, as MPS makes room for increased trade and economic opportunities, it also focuses on lessening the challenges of climate change for a healthier future.
