Port of Hueneme Becomes First Port in California to Earn Green Marine Certification

Proving that economic vitality and environmental stewardship are not mutually exclusive, the Port of Hueneme earned its Green Marine Certification this month. As Hueneme is ranked in the top 11% of all U.S. Ports for general cargo flow, it has taken the lead as California’s first port to complete the certification. Through this certification, Hueneme continues a tradition of setting an example of how to become a cleaner and environmentally sustainable port of the future.

Jason Hodge, President of the Board of Commissioners stated, “We are committed to leading the way in California for green port certification and continue to invest in our local community by taking action to improve our environment.”

Green Marine’s environmental program assists ports, terminal operators and shipping lines in reducing their environmental footprint through a comprehensive program that addresses key environmental issues and criteria using 11 performance indicators including air emissions, prevention of spills and leakages, community impacts, and environmental leadership. The Port received the highest possible scores in the spill prevention, environmental leadership, and community impact categories. Being that Green Marine is completely voluntary, it affirms even further Port of Hueneme’s commitment to staying on the leading edge of environmental stewardship.

The Port made history in 2015 as well by unveiling their innovative shore side power program--the largest single emissions reduction program in Ventura County history. Over the next 30 years, this program will reduce PM by 92%, NOx by 98% and CO2 by 55% through the electrification of the Port's wharves. The Port's robust environmental framework sets strategic action plans in the core areas of air, climate change, energy, marine resources, soils and sediments, sustainability and community, qualifying the Port for Green Marine certification.

"We look forward to continuing to provide jobs and economic growth for Ventura County while implementing the high bar of our environmental framework,” said the Port’s CEO and Executive Director Kristin Decas.

Membership in Green Marine requires that members demonstrate year-over-year meaningful improvements in measurable ways to maintain their Green Marine certification. Green Marine’s metrics and their results are independently verified and released to the public.

“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Hueneme as the first port from California to join the Green Marine program,” said David Bolduc, Green Marine’s executive director. “We have no doubt that the administration of this deepwater port will enhance our membership by sharing its environmental initiatives and best practices.”

The Green Marine Performance Report can be found here: https://www.greenmarine.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2016_Performance_Report.pdf

Established in 2007, Green Marine is a North American environmental certification program for the maritime transportation industry. The program stems from the maritime industry’s voluntary initiative to surpass regulatory requirements. The Green Marine program’s unique character derives from the support being earned from more than 50 environmental groups and government agencies. These supporters contribute to shaping and revising the program.
Read more at www.green-marine.org.

The Port of Hueneme is one of the most productive and efficient commercial trade gateways for niche cargo on the West Coast. The Port is governed by five locally elected Port Commissioners. The Port moves $9 billion in goods each year and consistently ranks among the top ten U.S. ports for automobiles and fresh produce. Port operations support the community by bringing $1.5 billion in economic activity and creating 13,633 trade-related jobs. Trade through the Port of Hueneme generates more than $93 million in direct and related state and local taxes, which fund vital community services. www.portofhueneme.org

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