ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION

Transcription

1 KYAMK ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION Environmental cooperation between independent port operators in the Port of HaminaKotka PROJECT SE747 ECOLOGICALLY FRIENDLY PORT ANNI ANTTILA KOTKA 2014

2 ABSTRACT This report focuses on environmental cooperation between independent contractors operating in the harbors of the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd. The report is based on Matti Garden s thesis Ympäristöyhteistyökartoitus HaminaKotka Satama Oy:n satamissa. Thesis was made as a part of the Ecologically Friendly Port project which targets to improve environmental safety in two ports of eastern Gulf of Finland, the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd and Ust-Luga. The project focuses on improving environmental status and reducing environmental impacts in the ports with the idea of protecting Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland. Environmental cooperation between contractors in the harbours was surveyed by a qualitative questionnaire study. The questionnaire study was made by interviewing personnel responsible for environmental matters working in enterprises from different fields. Primarily, enterprises running business under environmental licence and under an obligation of environmental observation were invited to answer the questionnaire. Nine contractors from different fields working in the harbours participated in the study. The objective of the questionnaire study was to analyse how contractors in harbours consider environmental matters in their business and at which level is their environmental cooperation. In addition to the harbour contractors, the personnel of the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd was interviewed and environmental obligations concerning the contractors and environmental licence practices of Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment were studied. According to the survey, the enterprises operating within the area of the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd are well aware of environmental responsibility matters and consider environmental safety in their business. Environmental cooperation happens mostly with the authorities since a part of the contractors are obliged to observe the environment. The cooperation between other operators is limited to certain fields and certain projects but there is an interest in more extensive cooperation. The contractors cooperate also with the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd but at the moment the cooperation is focused on occupational safety matters. The cooperation could be extended to cover also environmental safety matters or a work group around the environmental safety could be established. Waste recycling and scopes for action related to it rose as an interesting object of cooperation among contractors that participated in the study.

3 TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS BULK Bulk means bulk products or a variable that is difficult to estimate, measure or calculate. EFP Ecologically Friendly Port EMAS EMAS (the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) is a management system that helps an organisation to consider environmental matters in its business. ENPI European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument. An instrument with which cooperation between EU and partner countries is promoted. IMO IMO (International Maritime Organization) is a specialised agency of the UN and its remit is maritime security and prevention of marine pollution caused by vessels. IMO FIELD A storage area for goods classified as dangerous by IMO. ISO ISO is an international organization for standardization. JSC A joint-stock company Lolo Lolo (lift on lift off) is a method of loading in which cargo handling is conducted by a crane. Roro Roro (Roll on roll Off) is a method of loading in which goods are loaded and unloaded via the ship s stern port or bow visor by using a ramp.

4 CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION Port of HaminaKotka Ltd Environmental Policy in Port of HaminaKotka Ltd ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SSI assessment Protection of Baltic Sea QUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Standards Types of standards Advantages of standardardization ISO ISO OHSAS EMAS ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION BETWEEN PORT OPERATORS Survey on environmental cooperation Methods and analysis Environmental responsibility and management of companies Environmental licence obligation Environmental safety in business Environmental cooperation between companies Energy efficiency and reduction of emissions Energy efficiency measures Measures to reduce emissions CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS REFERENCES

5 1. INTRODUCTION Today, environmental matters are considered extensively in everyday life as well as in decision making. The consideration of environmental matters and highlighting the environmental responsibility in organisations and business sets the company apart from other rivals and may in the best case bring competitive advantage. The significance of environmental safety plays an important role in increased competition between the ports on Baltic Sea. In Finnish ports, the environmental responsibility matters are considered extensively and environmental work is regulated for the most part by decrees based on legislation and regulations by authorities, such as environmental licences. The environmental licences oblige the ports to continuous environmental observation which includes the observation of operations, emissions and impacts. (Ympäristöpolitiikka, HaminaKotka Satama Oy) The Port of HaminaKotka Ltd wants to act as a pioneer in the environmental work of ports and strives constantly to improve port operations following the principles of sustainable development. Operations are improved in cooperation with interest groups and with the help of various projects. (Ympäristöpolitiikka, HaminaKotka Satama Oy) It is important for the port and the port authority that all the companies operating within the area of the port are committed to common objectives that target to environmental safety (Turvallisuus, HaminaKotka Satama Oy). This commitment requires raising environmental awareness among the port operators and cooperation between the port authority and operators. This report deals with environmental views of the independent contractors operating within the area of the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd and the level of the environmental cooperation between operators. The level of cooperation was studied by interviewing companies operating within the area and the personnel of the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd. Moreover, the report treats environmental management systems used by the companies and measures taken by the companies to improve environmental safety. In the background of the subject for this thesis is Ecologically Friendly Port Project (EFP) of which one of the realizers is Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences. The survey was made as a qualitative questionnaire study. 1.2 Port of HaminaKotka Ltd Port of HaminaKotka Ltd is the biggest universal, export, and transit port in Finland. The port provides good connections to Baltic and Europe as well as to Asian and Russian market. Thanks to its eastern location and good transport connections, the Port of HaminaKotka is a major transit route with regular connections to all the most important European ports and this way to the whole world. Port of HaminaKotka Ltd includes following ports in the district of Kotka and

6 Hamina: Halla, Hamina, Hietanen, Hietanen South, Kantasatama, Mussalo and Sunila. (HaminaKotka Satama Oy, 2014.) 1.3. Environmental Policy in Port of HaminaKotka Ltd The Port of HaminaKotka Ltd is obliged to continuous environmental observation as for port operations, emissions caused by these operations and impacts of operations. The obligation is based on the regulations by authorities and environmental licences granted for port operations. In addition to this, the port has a certified environmental management system and a quality system based on ISO and ISO 9001 which aim to improve and develop comprehensively the level of operations, quality and environmental protection. The port wants to act as a pioneer in environmental work which is founded on the particular Green Paper policy. (Ympäristöjärjestelmä, HaminaKotka Satama Oy) Special environmental aspects in the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd include the safety of chemical transportations, the optimization of light and energy use within the port area, the reduction of emissions from vessels to the air and water and the fluency and safety of traffic related to port operations. Additionally, the objective has been to reduce emissions of power tools. (Ympäristöpolitiikka, HaminaKotka Satama Oy) The independent companies running their business under the environmental licence within the port area are not included in the scope of the environmental licence granted to the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd. For running business the contractors must apply for their own environmental licence from an authority. (Ympäristöluvat, HaminaKotka Satama Oy) 2. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT The objective of environmental protection is to secure human well-being and maintain the vitality and diversity of nature. Effective environmental protection requires the identification and consideration of environmental detriments in advance. Government officials direct social actions, in addition to which various interest groups, entreprises and people influence the development of society. In Finland, environmental protection has traditionally been governed by licensing and declaration procedures as well as various laws and standards required by legal system and administration. The legal system restricts the usage of areas and natural resources and specific environmental protection acts have been adopted for many different purposes. The Nature Conservation Act aims to protect threatened species and their habitats. (Hakala,Välimäki, 2003, 225, 228.) Environmental protection includes four central terms: nature conservation, environmental conservation, environmental problem and environmental politics. Nature conservation is the part of environmental protection which aims to preserve natural diversity. Broadly understood

7 2.1 SSI assessment all the protection of ecosystem functioning is included in nature conservation. Environmental conservation is action that aims to prevent environmental problems and ease or eliminate already existing environmental problems. Environmental problem means a human-caused chain of ecological impacts or a change in an individual biophysical environment which is considered harmful. Environmental politics is the practice of environmental protection. It includes formation of various social targets concerning environment and means to achieve these targets. The term can be defined by an actor or an object. The actor may be environmental policy of a state, company or a political party and the object may be the environmental politics related to nature conservation or energy issues. (Hakala, Välimäki, 2003, 28.) Individual persons can protect environment by their own actions or indirectly by participating in actions in society. An example of actions causing environmental problems and its impacts on the environment is private cars. There are many ways to affect this: by choosing a low-emission vehicle, using public transportation or traveling on foot or by bicycle. (Hakala,Välimäki, 2003,232.) In the assessment of international sustainable development index (SSI) published in 2010, Finland came fifth among 151 countries. According to the assessment, Finland is a balanced and stable society which provides good possibilities of development for its citizens and takes moderately good care of its natural resources. (Lyytimäki, Rinne, Nisonen, 2011, 15.) Sustainable Society Index (SSI) is an indicator that shows the level of sustainable development of the assessed country. SSI was created by the Dutch Sustainable Society Foundation (SSF) which publishes SSI every two years. According to Sustainable Society Foundation, a sustainable society consumes non-renewable natural resources responsibly and considers future generations. (Hoffrèn, Lemmetyinen, Leeni, 2010, 40) SSI is built up by 22 indicators that can be aggregated into five categories. Three of these categories measures wellbeing and two is focused on assessment of sustainable development. The categories that measure wellbeing focus on individual development, healthy environment and stable society. The categories that measure sustainable development focus on sustainable use of natural resources and sustainable world. The final score of SSI is based on variables that indicate sectors of wellbeing and may range from zero to ten. (Hoffrèn, Lemmetyinen, Leeni, 2010, 41) SSI can be used for following purposes: To raise people s awareness about the sustainability of their own country, as a tool for monitoring and politics at the national and regional level, as a tool for comparison between countries and regions, for educational purposes and as a tool for international organizations in monitoring and developing sustainability strategy. For instance in Romania, SSI has been put into operation as a part of national decision making and in Holland

8 and Romania many universities have integrated SSI in their curriculum. (Hoffrèn, Lemmetyinen, Leeni, 2010, 43) SSI was first assessed for 150 countries in According to SSI, the average wellbeing in the world has increased between 2006 and 2012 from 4.61 to The SSI average has increased 0.13 units in six years and its increasing 0.02 units every year. At this speed, it will take 200 years for our world to achieve values that maintain sustainable development. ( Hoffrèn, Lemmetyinen, Leeni, 2010, 42; SSFindex ) Image 1. The average of sustainable development in the world between 2006 and 2012 (SSFindex ) 2.1 Protection of Baltic Sea Baltic Sea is vulnerable because of its basic characteristics and therefore it requires special protection. Baltic Sea is a nearly enclosed, cold and shallow brackish water basin which is affected by emissions from all its coastal states. The protection measures of Finland mainly affect the state of coastal waters but by international cooperation the open sea is also protected. Cooperation plays an important role in the protection of Baltic Sea and therefore it is executed in various forms. (Itämeren peruskuvaus, Itämeriportaali 2014) Finland has been an active protector of Baltic Sea since 1950s. Finland's Programme for the Protection of the Baltic Sea was prepared in 2002 and its purpose is to reduce eutrophication and improve the state of Baltic Sea biology and waters. Additionally, the programme aims to reduce risks and detriments caused by oil and chemical transportations and hazardous substances. Also the conservation of marine and coastal environment diversity is included in the programme. (Suojelu, Itämeriportaali 2014) The Helsinki Convention, entered into force in 1980, was an important international protection programme which was revised in The membership of the European Union and cooperation

9 with neighbouring areas provide new opportunities for conservation of Baltic Sea. In 2009, the EU adopted Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region which aims to join EU and local actions and cooperation between countries and regions. (Kansainvälinen toiminta, Itämeriportaali 2014) 3. QUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 3.1 Standards Quality, environment and safety matters and their management is an important part of the management system of organizations. International management system standards were created to help organizations in different fields of management. The standards emphasize target-orientedness, methodicalness and continuos improvement as well as customer and interest group orientation. The management system standards aim to safer course of action, processes with higher quality and effectivity as well as reduction of risks. (Suomen standardisoimisliitto, 2014) The environment management systems help to systematically improve environment management of organizations and the success of environment protection measures. Environment management refers to control of operations where environment protection matters are considered in every action and decision making of a company and community. Good environment management promotes eco-efficiency of operations and helps to reduce environmental hazards caused by services and products during their whole life span. (Ympäristö, 2014) Practical tools of environment management include environment management systems, standards, indicators and calculations. The best-known tools of environment management are the ISO standard and the systems based on EMAS-Regulation. An organization can systematically take environmental matters into acocunt in its operations with the help of a functional environment management system which helps to identify and minimize harmful impacts on the environment and to reduce costs. (Ympäristö,2014) Standards are recommendations for their nature and adopting them is voluntary and free of charge. Although a standard may be in use in one or several countries, today the objective is to make an international standard which is valid in the whole world. The standard is intended to general and every day usage. (SFS- käsikirja 1., 7) The purpose of standardisation is to facilitate authorities, business people s and consumers' lives by common rules. With the help of standards, the compatibility and safety of products increase, environmental protection becomes more effective and national and international trade eases. Creation of a standard happens when all the parties draft the standard together in work groups and committees and the standard is published as a document and is available for public.

10 The standards are prepared in cooperation and consensus is always the objective between different parties. The viewpoints of each party are taken into account in preparation of the standard. If there are any disagreements, they are smoothed over before the puclication of the standard. (SFS-käsikirja 1., 7) The standard must be freely available and in written form in order that it can be universally accepted. The approval of standardisation is given by a responsible body, e.g. an authority or an organization. (SFS-käsikirja 1., 6) Types of standards There are seven types of standards for different matters and purposes. Basic standards have the widest purview and they define measures, concepts, signs and marks. Product standards define the requirements for items and services in order that they would suit their purpose. A product standard defines e.g. dimensioning, composition, durability and safety requirements. Method standards define the course of production process as well as raw material and component properties by detailed instructions. A method standard may include also the maintenance of a product. (SFS-käsikirja 1.,8) Service standards define service requirements in order that a service would suit its purpose. Service standards are prepared e.g. for trade, transportation, laundries, insurance and banking business. Safety standards define product safety requirements for human use and environmental impacts. Terminology standards include definitions of terms and their auxiliary explanations that supplement the definitions. The auxiliary explanations often are images or examples. Testing standards define product testing methods. Furthermore, the testing standards are completed with conditions which may be e.g. a principle for choosing a sample or a statistical method used in analysis of a product. (SFS-käsikirja 1., 8,9) Advantages of standardardization With standardization, all the services, products and methods can be customized to the use and conditions to which they are destined. With standardization, meaningless differences between products can be reduced. Moreover, standardization ensures that the products and systems are not incompatible with each other and that they can function together. (SFS-käsikirja 1.,9) In addition to the industry, also society benefits from standardization because commonly agreed concepts and definitions speed up work, reduce mistakes and misunderstandings and help to get better results in every field. Common preparation work is very important in standardization. Therefore, it is important to involve users and consumers in standardization already in the start phase of preparation and not only in the purchase situation of a finished product. The possibility of consumers to direct influencing will inevitably lead to better consideration of durability and

11 3.2 ISO 9000 safety. Furthermore, networks of specialists are arisen in various fields which are interested in technology, methods and their evaluation. (SFS-käsikirja 1.,9) One of the purposes of standards is to give definitions for safety. In this case, the objective is to avoid unreasonable risks that fall upon people, animals and environment. It is essential that environmental load and damage will be minimized. Environmental risks are reduced for the whole life span of a product; from raw material procurement to transportation, use of the product and recycling. (SFS-käsikirja 1.,9) 3.3 ISO 1400 The best-known standard in the world, ISO 9001, has exceeded the age of 20 years since the basic standards of ISO 9000 series were first published in Originally, the series consisted of six standards but nowadays it has extended to fourteen standards. Standards need to be revised from time to time and thus the ISO 9001 standard has also been revised in 1994 and At the moment, the standard in use is the version published in The next version of this standard will be published in (ISO Valinta ja käyttö, 7) ISO has pledged to keep the ISO 9000 standard family up to date and effective. The specialists of business life and various organizations that function in all over the world form the ISO technical committee TC 176. The task of the committee is to prepare quality management standards and to monitor the use of these standards in order that the standards can be improved to meet users needs and expectations. (ISO Valinta ja käyttö, 7) The ISO 9000 family of standards is a series of international standards and guidelines which deals with quality management. The standards of this series have achieved worldwide reputation and they form the basis for continuos improvement. To achieve the biggest advantage, the standards of the ISO 9000 family should be used together. The standard ISO 9000 includes the concepts and fundamentals of quality management. The ISO 9001 includes actual requirements and the ISO 9004 presents various practises and gives instructions for application. (ISO Valinta ja käyttö, 2) The quality management standards can also be used together with other standards. The ISO 9001 is a standard that can be used as a quality management system for any organization. It makes possible the organization to show that it can deliver products that meet both the customers and regulatory requirements. Additionally, the objective is to improve customer satisfaction. (ISO Valinta ja käyttö 2013, 2) The standards of ISO family provide instruments and techniques for an organization to better manage environmental aspects and increase the level of environment protection.

12 3.4 OHSAS Furthermore, the standards of ISO family encourage the organization to be more active in environmental matters and to promote sustainable development. Although the ISO standards are designed to support each other, they can also be used independently to reach other environmental targets. (ISO Valinta ja käyttö, 2013, 7.; The ISO family of International Standards 2009, 8) The best-known environmental management system model in the world, ISO 14001, helps organizations to increase the level of environment protection and to show better environmental management to their interest groups. The ISO has a flexible structure and it suits organizations of many sizes, both in public and private sectors. Following regulatory requirements and commitment to continuos improvement of environment are the central principles of the ISO (Ympäristöasioiden hallinta. ISO 14000, 5) By adoption of the ISO environment management system, environmental matters can be better integrated in management and planning of operations. The ISO increases costeffectiveness by making the use of energy and raw materials more effective and by reducing the amount of waste. Moreover, the ISO raises the environmental awareness of the personnel and the consideration of environmental impacts of product and service chains in different phases. By using the ISO system, the observance of environmental legislation can be ensured as well as the anticipation of changes, improvement of environmental risks management and securing the continuity of operation. (Ympäristöasioiden hallinta. ISO 14000, 5) Although the ISO standard does not require exterior verification, many organizations find that it brings additional value for public image and customer relationships. The ISO environment management system, published in 1996, is used by over organizations worldwide in over 150 countries. (Ympäristöasioiden hallinta. ISO 14000, 5, 6) OHSAS is an occupational health and safety management standard with which an organization can manage occupational health and safety management risks and improve their quality. With the help of the OHSAS standard occupational safety matters can be managed target-orientedly and comprehensively. Moreover, the organization can incorporate occupational safety matters in everyday operations. The OHSAS standard defines the requirements of occupational health and safety management system and additionally there is a standard that guides in application of the requirements: OHSAS (Suomen standardisoimisliitto, 2014) The OHSAS and OHSAS standards are designed to be compatible with the management system standards ISO 9001 and ISO The International Organization for Standardization, ISO, has started in autumn 2013 the preparation of a standard dealing with occupational health and safety matters based on the OHSAS When finished this standard named ISO will replace the OHSAS standard. The ISO is expected to be ready

13 in 2016 and it is designed to be compatible with the management system standards ISO 9001 and ISO (Standardisoimisliiton asiantuntijalehti 1/2014, 14) 3.4 EMAS EMAS (the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) is an optional environment management system and instrument for companies and organizations with which the organization considers the environmental impacts of its services, operations and products and systematically aims to reduce emissions and amounts of waste as well as consumption of energy and natural resources. (Ympäristö, 2014) EMAS was developed in The EMAS-Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009, also known as EMAS III Regulation, is the legal basis of the system and it was last revised in For organizations interested in EMAS there is EMAS Users Guide which provides easy to use instructions for each step in the process of participating in EMAS. Companies operating in European Union or outside can use the optional EMAS system regardless of their field of business. (Euroopan unionin virallinen lehti, 2013) According to the study ordered by the European Commission in 2009, the advantages of using EMAS include savings due to energy-efficiency, fewer fault situations, better interest group relationships, increased business opportunities, reliefs of regulation and decreased costs. As for energy efficiency savings, organizations of all sizes had evidence on the fact that the maintenance costs of the EMAS system were lower than the received saving in energy so the organization can easily get back the costs caused by the realization of EMAS. Fault situations such as breach cases of environmental legislation were reduced because by the EMAS system better relationships with regulatory authorities were formed. The organizations were able to form better interest group relationships which were visible especially in the relationships of service provider companies with authorities. (Euroopan unionin virallinen lehti, 2013) The organizations had more business opportunities after participating in EMAS. With the EMAS registration, the organizations can show that they have technical means to meet the environmental requirements of the sales contract. Furthermore, interior business-to-business procedures may be easier to both parties registered in EMAS. Reliefs from regulation can be granted to an organization registered in EMAS. Many member states provide benefits concerning state and regional environmental laws and decrees if the organization is registered in EMAS. The benefits can include e.g. halving the waste fee or a discount in fees charged for permit procedures. (Euroopan unionin virallinen lehti, 2013) Registration in the EMAS system causes interior and exterior costs such as consulting or registration costs but with the system significant savings can also be achieved. Therefore, companies should regard registration in EMAS as an investment. (Euroopan unionin virallinen lehti, 2013)

14 4. ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION BETWEEN PORT OPERATORS 4.1 Survey on environmental cooperation One of the objectives of the Ecologically Friendly Port Project was to improve the quality of environmental cooperation between companies operating in the harbors of the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd. In spring 2014, the current state of cooperation between port operators were studied by a qualitative survey. In the survey, different port operators whose operations are carried out in the harbors of Kotka, Hamina and Hietanen were interviewed. In the Ecologically Friendly Port Project, the overtone for increasing the environmental cooperation between the operators was a supposed conflict between the environmental permits granted to the port authority and the port operators which was then proved to be wrong. Primarily, enterprises running businesses under environmental permit and under an obligation of environmental observation were invited to answer the survey. In the beginning of the survey, the environmental permits of the port authority and the operators were treated together with environmental authorities. The environmental permits of the port authority have been granted for the operation of the Hamina and Kotka Harbours and these permits aim to consider changing conditions in these harbors. However, these permits do not cover the operation of independent contractors obliged by the environmental permit located within the port area. The independent contractors operating under the obligation of the environmental permit must have an environmental permit for their operations. In the survey, it was also revealed that there is no need for comparison of environmental permits between different operators since these permits have been granted for very different operations. The environmental permits of contractors of various fields differ remarkably for their contents and thus the comparison is not justified or even possible. 4.2 Methods and analysis The study was conducted as a qualitative questionnaire. The questionnaire study consisted of interviews and structured questions. The questionnaire as a method suited the study very well since it makes possible to collect an extensive research data and to pose questions on several matters. Hirsjärvi, Remes, Sajavaara (2012, s.195) state that the questionnaire study is effective since it saves researcher s time and effort. The starting point of the qualitative study is to illustrate real life. It includes the idea of reality as manifold. The objective of the qualitative study is to study the object as comprehensively as possible and to strive for finding or revealing facts. In the qualitative study, the object of data collection is the human-being. In the data collection, measuring instruments are not usually used

15 but the researcher bases the study on their own observations and discussions with interviewees. The advantage of the qualitative study is that the research plan is modified as the study advances thus the study can be conducted flexibly and plans be changed as per conditions. (Hirsjärvi, Remes, Saja-vaara 2012, s. 161, 164.) 4.3 Environmental responsibility and management of companies The Port of HaminaKotka Ltd takes responsibility for environment and requires its partners and the companies operating in the port area to do the same. Six of the companies that participated in the study have an environment and quality management system in use; five of these companies use a standardized system and one uses a system created by the company itself. Four of the port operators use the ISO 9001 and ISO standards which are also included in optional environmental responsibility commitments of the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd. The ISO 9001 is a standard that can be used as a quality management system for any organization. The ISO is an environmental system which helps organizations to increase the level of environment protection and to show better environmental management to their interest groups. The ISO has a flexible structure and it suits organizations of many sizes, be they small or large. ISO increases cost-effectiveness by making the use of energy and raw materials more effective and by reducing the amount of waste. Two of the interviewees use the OHSAS standard. The OHSAS is an occupational health and safety management standard. Occupational safety matters can be managed targetoriented and comprehensively with the OHSAS standard. The standard defines the requirements of occupational health and safety management system. One of the companies operating within the port has rather extensive operating instructions in use. The interviewed company finds that with its own instructions it can keep the quality high, monitor changes and react to those changes as well as in other certified systems. In addition to the above mentioned, two of the port operators had management systems related to the field e.g. GTP, a quality management system related to corn trade, and HACCP, a management system for food production.

16 Quality and Environmental Management systems In use Not in use Own instructions Image 2. Quality and environment management systems used by companies Environmental licence obligation Five of the interviewees operate under the obligation of environmental licence. For three operators, the licence has been granted for handling and storage of chemicals. The environmental licence for handling and storage of chemicals requires e.g. proper storage containers and their shielding pools and equipment for transporting chemicals from transfer areas to the storage containers. Two of the interviewees have the environmental licence for an access to the IMO field i.e. to the area where goods classified as dangerous by IMO (International Maritime Organisation) are stored. This environmental licence requires the operator to chart the deposit area and guard bands. One of the operators has the environmental licence for handling and storage of quicklime. This environmental licence requires e.g. features of dosing feeder such as handling of powdery and granular lime products. 4.4 Environmental safety in business In the harbours of the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd, the port regulations of the cities of Hamina and Kotka and operating instructions of the Hamina oil terminal are followed. The port requires all the people doing business within the area to follow the valid safety regulations. The basis of regulations include regulations on dangerous goods in bulk (IBC code, BCH code), regulations on dangerous goods in break bulk (IMDG code) and regulations on the prevention of pollution from liquid fuels and ships (Marpol 73/78).

17 The valid recommendations of International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers & Terminals (ISGOTT) must also be followed at the Liquid Terminal. The independent contractors and companies operating within the port area have various methods in realisation of environmental safety which were surveyed in the questionnaire study. All the respondents regard environmental matters as an important part of their business. In addition to the environmental and quality management systems, one of the most common environmental safety matters is recycling of waste which is put into practise by four companies. One of the operators has developed its own recycling project to teach its staff to recycle produced waste in the right way. Another common environmental safety measure is instructions for use of power tools which were mentioned by four operators. The instructions are related to optimization of driving routes, waiting times between loadings and unloading s, the quality of fuel and limitation of power tools idle running. A part of the companies are obliged by the authorities and due to the nature of their business field to the observation of environment which includes emissions to the air and sea. Two companies also conduct voluntary observation of environment and treats rain water and melt water. All the companies of the port reports annually the emissions caused by their operation to the port authority who reports the information further to the authorities. Environmental Safety in business Obligation to environmental observation Emission control system Vehicles and machinery idling restrictions Waste recycling Image 3. Environmental safety in business.

18 4.5. Environmental cooperation between companies According to the interviews, the operators within the area of the Port of HaminaKotka already cooperate to the significant extent but this cooperation is focused more on general safety. Four of the interviewed operators cooperate with other operators and authorities in the form of fire drills or sea area and air space control. A part of the operators also belong to the dust team of the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd which focuses on dust nuisances within the area. Other forms of cooperation include the handling of certain materials and usage of shared cleaning and waste management services. A part of companies have participated in various environmental safety projects in which other port operators have also been involved. The environmental cooperation between the interviewed companies is based on the cooperation between the companies operating in the same area or running the same type of business. All the interviewees cooperate to some extent with other companies and the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd as for the general safety of the port. The Port of HaminaKotka Ltd and all the companies operating within the port area have the responsibility for taking care of the safety within the port areas in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (738/2002). (HaminaKotka Satama Oy, 2014) Following the definition of this Act, the port is a so called shared workplace where one employer exercises the main authority and where more employers than one or more self-employed workers than one, working in return for compensation, operate simultaneously or successively. When the port area changes, it is important that all the operators get the information related to the occupational safety as quickly as possible. Based on this, the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd established an occupational safety work group of shared workplace on within the framework of which the common occupational safety matters are informed, instructed and agreed. Representatives and operators of the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd, one of each business field, belong to the work group. The group meets once or twice a year or more often when necessary. According to the personnel of the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd, also matters aiming at the environmental cooperation could be discussed in the meetings of this group. In addition to the operation of the occupational safety work group of the shared workplace, the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd has organised meetings when necessary, relating to various themes such as air quality, water quality, flood group info and dusting in which port operators have been invited.

19 Environmental co-operation Authorities Other operators Projects The Port of HaminaKotka Image 4. Environmental cooperation. In interviews, the companies were asked about their interest in environmental cooperation with other operators and willingness for participating in cooperation projects in future. The objective was to find out the companies needs and expectations for new forms of cooperation and to clarify reasons for possible obstacles for cooperation. Not all the companies have started cooperation so far and a part of them may have an idea of developing, rationalising or changing the current form of cooperation. Seven respondents are interested in cooperating in environmental matters with the other port operators in future. The companies think that possible and useful objects of cooperation could be e.g. recycling of waste and actions related to it and practice related to environmental safety. Recycling of waste would benefit many operators and they are interested in getting more information on this matter. One of the operators was willing to join also waste management services but another operator saw there a potential of reduction of competition between waste management providers and hence the deterioration of quality. Other companies operating within the port area could also be interested in cooperation but according to the interviewees, starting and realising cooperation would require a good and competent coordinator. Individual companies do not have possibilities to take responsibility for starting cooperation. An alternative would be to start cooperation in the form of a project around a certain theme as the chemical and liquid operators in the Hamina Harbour have done. In the Hamina Harbour, a cooperation project called Hamina Eco Port was started on between chemical and liquid operators in which cooperation between companies operating within the area is developed and cluster-like operations models are piloted. The objective is to begin a cluster specialised in biotechnology, chemical industry and logistics operating within the area of Hamina Harbour. The clustering measures of the project are expected to create synergy benefits and cost savings as well as to improve operational preconditions of the companies operating within the harbour area and its neighbouring areas.

20 Two respondents are not interested in cooperation; one finds their operation too small compared to other operators in the field and the other finds their own environmental management system so extensive that there are no possibilities for cooperating in the development of operations. There may also be an obstacle for cooperation i.e. trade secrets and hence the companies may not necessarily be able to cooperate openly with a rival company. 4.6 Energy efficiency and reduction of emissions Energy efficiency measures In the connection to the survey, the port operators were asked about concrete practises and methods that the companies use to reduce energy consumption and emissions caused by their operations. The operators were also asked about possible noise impacts but none of the operators thought that they suffer from impacts or cause them themselves. Energy efficiency plays an important role in many companies and investment for energy efficient solutions brings cost savings. When asked about energy efficiency measures, four operators answered that they consider reduction of electrical energy consumption e.g. by limiting use of lights or replacing the lights with more energy efficient LED lighting. One of the operators has made modifications to insulations of production machinery and with these measures they have achieved remarkable costs. An operator has been aiming at a paperless office where all the documents will be transferred in electronic format. Only one of the interviewees has not yet taken any measures to improve energy efficiency. Consideration of Energy Efficiency in business Lighting optimization Paperless office Changes in production equipment Not yet implemented energy efficiency measures Image 5. Consideration of energy efficiency in business.

21 4.6.2 Measures to reduce emissions All the companies operating within the area of Port of HaminaKotka Ltd report annually emissions caused by their operations to the port authority. This has, for its part, resulted in measures being taken to aim at reduction of emissions. The companies are well aware of the importance of emissions reduction but taking concrete measures is more challenging. For instance, a great part of the machinery used by the port operators (power tools and cranes) is diesel-powered which means they have high emissions. When updating equipment the low degree of emissions will be one of the most important selection criteria. Three interviewed port operators already use low-emission power tools such as forklifts equipped with a catalyst. Emissions are reduced also by optimizing drive routes of the power tools with the target of less drives. The idle running of vehicles is prohibited within the port area but especially in winter time this prohibition is sometimes violated. An interviewed chemical and liquid operator mentioned a measure to reduce emissions i.e. the changes made in the production plant (insulations in the plant) which has reduced not only costs but also fuel consumption and in this way emissions due to operations. When asked about emissions in the port generally, an operator answered that they had suffered from dust nuisances which result from handling and loading of quicklime. Sometimes dust nuisances have been considered so big that the issue has been discussed by the instigator of dust nuisances, the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd, and those who have suffered from them. A dust team was formed around this issue and this team meets when necessary. The operator who caused the dust nuisances tells that the situation is now better. The loading tehcnique of quicklime was changed and nowadays loading causes only a few dust nuisances. Purchase of a completely dustproof loading system would be too expensive and a great risk for the company.

22 Measures to reduce emissions Cargo handling machine driving and route optimizing Low-emission machinery Emission observation Rain and melting waters treatment Image 6. Measures to reduce emissions. 5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The objective of this study was to analyse environmental views of the independent contractors operating within the harbours of the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd and the cooperation between the port operators with the target of environmental safety. The study was made by interviewing companies representing different fields in the port; primarily those under the obligation of an environmental licence. Invitations for participating in the interviews were sent to 17 companies of which 9 participated in the study. According to this study, the consideration of environmental safety matters is fairly comprehensive in the companies operating within the area of the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd. The Port of HaminaKotka Ltd takes responsibility for environment and requires its partners and the companies operating in the port area to do the same. The practises and realisation of environmental consideration vary depending on the field of business. A part of interviewed companies is obliged to the observation of environment due to the nature of their business and the regulations by the authorities; this group includes e.g. chemical and liquid operators. Some of the companies carry out spontaneous observation of the environment without an obligation by the authorities. Six of the companies that participated in the study have an environment and quality management system in use; five of these companies use a standardized system and one uses a system created by the company itself. Four of the interviewed companies operate under the obligation of environmental licence. Environmental licences have been granted for independent contractors for handling and storage of dangerous goods and handling and storage of quicklime.

23 The independent contractors and companies operating within the port area have various methods in realisation of environmental safety but all the interviewed operators regard environmental matters as an important part of their business. The majority of the interviewees recycles waste and has, depending on their field of business, taken various energy efficient and emission reducing measures. All the interviewees cooperate to some extent with other operators and the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd as for the general safety of the port. The operators cooperate with e.g. the authorities in the form of sea area and air space control. So far, forms of environmental cooperation between port operators have been handling of certain materials, using a shared cleaning and waste management service and individual projects aiming at the improvement of environmental safety which have involved some of the port operators. Generally, the environmental cooperation between the interviewed companies is based on the cooperation between the companies operating in the same area or running the same type of business. The companies regard environmental cooperation with other operators as useful and possible in future but open cooperation may be restricted e.g. by trade secrets. However, the majority of interviewed companies found that cooperation would be possible if there was a competent and efficient coordinator responsible for cooperation since individual port operators do not have a possibility to take the responsibility for starting cooperation projects. An alternative for starting cooperation would be to incorporate the development of environmental safety in the Occupational safety work group of the shared work place coordinated by the Port of HaminaKotka Ltd. The matters concerning the occupational safety of the port are usually related to environmental safety and combining these two would produce mutual benefit. Another alternative would be to establish a completely new work group whose actions would aim at environmental safety and development of environmental cooperation. Cooperation could be developed also by organizing more socials on different themes related to environmental safety. An alternative could be a joint project between the port operators like the Hamina Eco Port Project of the chemical and liquid operators. The cooperation project could also involve other organizations depending on the targets and the responsibility for the project could lie on someone else than on an individual port operator. The most important requirement for starting and realising cooperation is the interest and commitment of the port operators to cooperation because if they are lacking, achieving any results is impossible. The current cooperation aiming at occupational safety between the port operators and port authority, the Hamina Eco Port Project of the chemical and liquid operators and this survey of the Ecologically Friendly Port Project have created a foundation for cooperation between the port operators. Along with these, fruitful environmental cooperation is possible to be realised and started around a current theme, such as waste management and recycling.