Baltic Ports Conference 2017 – exporting Baltic environmental standards

Day 2 of the Baltic Ports Conferece 2017 ended today in Trelleborg. After taking a closer look at the future of the port industry on DAY I, the conference shifted its focus to the environmental side of things. The participants had the chance to explore the vast experience the Baltic Sea region has in the area of sustainability and its willingness to share this knowledge with others.

Baltic’s unique position as a leader for green and sustainable ports and maritime transport took the center stage during DAY 2 of the BPC 2017. Over the years, the Baltic ports and shipping lines implemented, with great success, a broad range of technological and managerial solutions in order to comply with various environmental regulations active in the region. The time has come to share the vast amount of experience gathered over the years with other members of the maritime community.

Participants of the discussion panel dedicated to the topic of exporting of Baltic environmental standards took a closer look at the possibilities for synergies between different approaches to environmental compliance. The good amount of cross sector cooperation has been praised, as well as the ability to think outside the box. It remains to be seen when the investments in green technology are going to pay off and while there are still doubts in regard to the economical point of view, the importance of the social one cannot be denied. The need to communicate Baltic’s efforts and achievements has been mentioned multiple times.

The panel, featuring Ditte Folke Henriksen, Head of Section at the Danish Maritime Authority, Poul Woodall, Director for Environment and Sustainability at DFDS A/S, Ulf Siwe from the STM Validation project and Gert Nørgaard, Manager Strategy & Planning at the Copenhagen Malmö Port attracted many voices from the audience. Our host, Tommy Halen, stepping down from his position as the Managing Director at the Port of Trelleborg, summed up the discussion, saying that “it is important that ports are the frontrunners” and first to take steps towards a green future instead of waiting for the authorities.

Baltic Sea region’s long standing tradition of innovation has been further explored in a special panel showcasing some of the most interesting projects, recently garnering a lot of attention and additionally underscoring the breadth of experience it has to offer.

The participants received 5 minutes each to present their work and achievements. The panel, moderated by Bogdan Ołdakowski, the BPO Secretary General, included representatives from Baltic Blue Growth, Go LNG, HAZARD, TENTacle and the already mentioned STM Validation project. 

This year also saw a slightly different approach to the development of the maritime transport industry, as Mia Rolf, CEO at Ideon Science Park, talked about the single, most important force behind every successful business – creativity. The port industry faces times of dynamic change, rapid evolution and unrestrained innovation. It needs to carefully define its challenges, since creativity and creating something new does not come without costs.

The day also featured presentations analyzing environmental priorities in view of the benefits they can carry for Baltic shipping by Poul Woodall and a look at the influence of the LNG terminal in Swinoujscie on energy security in East & Central Europe by Sławomir Sieradzki, Deputy Director of the Development Division at GAZ-SYSTEM.

A study tour of the Port of Trelleborg concluded this edition of the Baltic Ports Conference.

The Baltic Ports Organization would like to take this opportunity to thank all speakers and delegates and invite you all to the next edition of the Baltic Ports Conference. See you in 2018 in Szczecin.

DAY I: Baltic Ports Conference 2017 – Baltic Ports embrace the future in Trelleborg