Sustainable Ports in UBC

There is a need and a wide interest to develop sustainable port policies in the Baltic Sea Region as well as on European level. Within the Union of the Baltic Cities, port cities and ports have been cooperating for several years in order to develop improved policy models. The newly started Interreg III B project New Hansa of Sustainable Ports and Cities (2003-2005) results from this co-operation.

This UBC Agenda 21 project, lead by the City of Liibeck, is a genuine multi-stakeholder process of 15 ports and port cities, aiming at improved environmental policies and sustainable development at all ports of the Baltic Sea.

The problems addressed have economic, social and environmental aspects as well as considerable territorial impacts-and they call for integrated solutions. Specifically, the project concentrates on harmonising and strengthening the policies and practices to reduce air emissions, wastewater discharges and solid waste generation of vessels, and to improve reception practices of ship-generated wastes at ports.

On international level, the most important outcome of the project will be the joint policy document - the Baltic Memorandum of Understanding on

Sustainable Ports (MoU). Wide support and commitment will be sought to the MoU in the Baltic Sea Region as well as in the European Commission. Links and dialogue are being established, and contributions and co-operation are strongly welcome from all stakeholders!