Port operations respecting the environment
For many years, the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd has had a certified environmental management system. In the external audit carried out in 2019, the system was certified in accordance with the most recent standard (ISO 14001:2015). The system aims to improve and develop the operations, quality and level of environmental protection comprehensively and constantly so that we could better serve our customers and promote the competitiveness of companies operating in our region.
The environmental permits related to the operation of the various parts of the port were updated in 2015. In addition to the environmental permits of the port itself, the companies operating at the port apply for the necessary environmental permits and other permits for their operations. Moreover, building projects within the port are subject to the necessary permits required by the Finnish Water Act in each individual project.
We monitor the environmental impacts of port operations systematically, and we are committed to the continuous improvement of the level of environmental protection.
The emissions of port operations to air and water, energy and water consumption as well as the impacts on air quality and the maritime area are monitored in accordance with the monitoring programs approved by the environmental authorities. The monitoring is carried out in co-operation with other parties in the region. One example of this is shared regional monitoring of air quality in the Kotka and Pyhtää area as well as the monitoring of the sea area outside Kotka and Hamina. In the operations of the port, we endeavour to improve energy efficiency through means such as shifting over to the use LEDs in lighting. In 2021–2025, the light towers at the port will be upgraded by replacing old lamps with LEDs and by renewing the lighting control system. Moreover, solar panels have been installed on the roof of the Merituuli office building. The energy produced by these is mainly used for the cooling, lighting and ventilation of the office building.
We aim to reduce the use of virgin natural resources by utilizing waste materials such as crushed concrete in the port structures whenever possible. As an example, when the D-area at Mussalo was being developed, concrete and brick waste left over from demolished schools and a bus station was utilised in the structures of the area. Rock material extracted from the sea during the dredging of the D-basin was used to build a breakwater and some of it was moved to Palaslahti as base for the industrial area.
The port company participates in various environmental projects, such as the ShipWaste Action co-operation co-ordinated by the Baltic Sea Action Group (BSAG), where HaminaKotka was the first participating port. This joint project between different players accelerates an operating model in line with the circular economy, in which biogas is produced from ships’ sewage for heavy-duty transport.
Through the systematic management of environmental issues, we can reduce the adverse environmental impacts of port operations, raise environmental awareness and increase interaction between stakeholders operating at the port. The functioning of the system requires commitment from the entire personnel and consideration of environmental aspects in all activities.
You can find environmental and water permit resolutions issued by the Regional State Administrative Agency through this information service link: https://ylupa.avi.fi/fi-FI Notice, the permit resolutions are in Finnish.
