Environmental commitment is a double challenge for the Authority.

We work to protect the natural environment of the Stour and Orwell estuaries, while balancing this with the needs of a thriving ports cluster.

We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint across our operations. This effort encompasses reducing fuel consumption and emissions generated by our fleet of workboats and pilot launches, educating and encouraging all staff to reduce the use of paper and other materials, switching off lights and equipment when not in use, and recycling wherever possible.

Reducing CO2 Output

Our main environmental focus is on maintenance dredging operations, which generates more CO2 output than any other part of our activities. Most of our CO2 is generated during the 40-mile round trip to the current disposal site for dredged material. We are seeking permission to use a new disposal site five miles nearer to the harbour, which has the potential to save about 1,000 tonnes of CO2 output every year.

Our continuous monitoring, measuring and reduction of environmental impact is contained within our Environmental Management System. In January 2017 we became the first UK trust port to be accredited with ISO14001:2015 certification.