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Felixstowe's very success has, indeed, put more traffic on the roads, but the Port owns and operates two rail terminals that handle some 23% of available containers – those inbound and outbound on domestic routes. As part of the plans for the Felixstowe South Reconfiguration, it is anticipated that this modal share will increase to 26%, and so removing approximately 500,000 lorry journeys from the roads each year. The Port does all it can to encourage the overland transit of containers by rail, and is working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure that the rail network is capable to handle extra volumes. To this end, the Port intends to construct a new rail terminal on already reclaimed land at Trinity Terminal. The Port is also committed to coastal shipping, and increasing the model share sent by feeder services in the coming years. Currently, only a small proportion of UK traffic is transhipped onto coastal services, but the Port is working with other commercial interests and liaising with policy makers in an attempt to increase this figure.
One of the advantages of the Port of Felixstowe, especially taken in combination with the Felixstowe South Reconfiguration and Bathside Bay development, is that the Port handles a sufficient ‘critical mass’ of traffic to support an attractive range and frequency of feeder services. In keeping with the Government's policy on the environment, the Port ensures that existing infrastructure is fully utilised before new facilities are developed. Productivity comparisons at major UK container ports reveal that, not only is Felixstowe the most productive UK port currently, benefiting from Hutchison's established track record in this field, but measures to raise productivity further will sustain and probably extend the Port's lead in this respect.
The Port meets or exceeds all European, national and local environmental requirements and, as an authority in its own right, can and does initiate prosecutions against polluters. Its own Emergency Services participate fully with other authorities to keep estuary and Haven waters as pure as possible.
In recognition of its efforts to promote environmental considerations, the Port has been awarded a ‘PERS’ certificate. PERS, or ‘Ports Environmental Review System’, is an independent environmental verification scheme. It was developed by the EcoPorts Foundation, a network of ports and port-related stakeholders, and Lloyds Register, to commend those ports it recognises as demonstrating a ‘duty of care’ to the communities in which they operate.
An Environmental Report has been published by Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited, to record the Port of Felixstowe’s environmental commitments. This includes a ‘Register of Environmental Aspects’, which details a number of impacts created by the Port’s operations, and the actions taken to mitigate them. The Report also features initiatives that have been set up to manage the Port’s environmental commitments.
Lighting on the Port estate is designed to save energy and reduce glare in the night sky. The Port has made the transition from white lights to sodium lighting on the majority of its lighting towers and ship-to-shore gantry cranes, which is designed to reduce ‘light spill’.
The Port believes that the expansion of its facilities can be undertaken in an environmentally sensitive context. It has worked closely with environmental organisations, such as English Nature, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and Suffolk Wildlife Trust on a comprehensive package of mitigation measures for the extension of Trinity Terminal.
The Port fully funded the creation of Trimley Marshes Nature Reserve, and contributes to its ongoing management costs by Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Its 84 hectares include a freshwater lake, three lagoons, meadows and reedbeds. Ornithologists acknowledge the Reserve to be one of the most successful on the East coast, giving a home to many breeding pairs of avocets and other birds that had been rare in this country.
In addition to this extensive facility, the Port, in conjunction with Harwich Haven Authority, has created a further 16.5 hectares of new intertidal habitat, including mudflats and salt marsh, along the River Orwell at Trimley Marsh. This provides a valuable habitat for juvenile fish, birds and wildlife.
The Port also worked closely with Harwich Haven Authority to improve sea defences and coastal erosion by beneficial use of dredging material from the deepening of the approach channel in March 2000.
This has also enabled the creation of new underwater habitats for oysters and lobsters.
Not only is the Port keen to maintain and improve the environment surrounding it, but it is also committed to seeking innovative solutions on site, with a view to becoming a more environmentally friendly and considerate neighbour. The Port has joined the Suffolk County Council initiative, ‘Creating the Greenest County’, and is working alongside other local businesses to help to make Suffolk a pleasant place in which to live and work.
The Port is committed to improving its waste management and recycling record across its 324 hectare site, and is working towards a target of recycling 50% of all of its waste. New improved arrangements for ships' waste have been implemented on both Trinity and Landguard Terminals. Employees from Engineering and Safety have worked to create a recycling platform, with spaces for wheelie bins, as well as the usual food waste skip. The bins are labelled for different types of recyclable waste. All recyclable waste is kept separate and so can be easily recycled, rather than being sent to landfill.
The Port has also become involved with the Suffolk Scrap Store, a local vocational training scheme for youngsters with learning difficulties. The Scrap Store sells on sorted materials donated by the Port, for use by educational and theatre groups. The Port diverted around three tonnes of material from landfill in this way.
In the face of rising energy prices and the threats of climate change, the Port has co-funded a study with the Carbon Trust to investigate where its main energy use occurs, and how best to manage it. The Carbon Trust will aim to identify areas where we can make environmentally friendly changes. The subject areas covered will include the use of electricity, fuel and water in all areas of the Port's operations.
Employee awareness is also a priority at the Port, and, to that end, an employee newsletter, Green Issues, is circulated across the Port twice a year. Green Issues provides simple advice on how to save energy at work and at home, and keeps employees informed regarding new environmental initiatives being introduced at the Port.
The Port sponsored ‘Beachwatch’ in 2006 and 2007, a scheme organised nationally by the Marine Conservation Society and locally by the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Unit. The initiative aims to ensure the beaches around the UK, which are visited by thousands of people each year, are
as clean and safe as possible. Port employees gave up their time to clean Landguard Beach, and over 36kg of litter was removed from the area in 2007.
The Port is committed to working alongside local bodies that influence and maintain the landscape and environment around its site.
The Port takes an interest in the Landguard Fort Trust, which aims to give an appropriate and useful future to the great defence works that for centuries commanded the Harbour entrance.
Additionally, the Port holds a seat on the Landguard Forum, a management body comprised of local authorities, English Heritage, Harwich Haven Authority, Town Council officials and voluntary groups,
who control or have an interest in the Landguard Peninsula, most of which is a designated Nature Reserve.
The Port also provides membership for the Stour and Orwell Estuaries Management Group, and contributes to
a range of local initiatives.
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