 Bremenports GmbH & Co. has been awarded the 2016 ESPO Award for its strategies in safeguarding and upgrading the nature and ecosystem in the port area.
The eight ESPO Award was focused on ‘Nature in Ports’ and applauded Bremenports’ Luneplate project during a ceremony at the Egmont Palace in Brussels on 9 November.
Luneplate was the first project to implement large and varied tidal habitats behind the main dyke in connection with a special flood barrage.
Pat Cox, chairman of the jury for the award, said: “The Luneplate project has managed to turn the negative environmental impact caused by several former port extensions and infrastructure projects in Bremerhaven into actions ensuring both environmental aspects and social needs.”
“In the Port of Bremen, nature protection goes hand in hand with the economic development.”
The project was a strong example of an integrated approach combining economy and ecology, as well as bringing port development requests together with the needs of a very sensitive environment.
Mr Cox added: “In the jury's assessment process of the nature conservation and enhancement programmes of the competing ports we looked to law and regulation for guidance but beyond the law also for a deeper sense of conviction, values and commitment.”
The ESPO Award 2016 saw 11 projects from ports from all over Europe compete for the prize. Bremenports came out on top from a shortlist including projects from the ports of Riga, Cartagena, Guadeloupe and Dunkirk.
source: GreenPort |
