Environment, Quality & Safety

As a statutory harbour authority and major land owner, Lerwick Port Authority has environmental duties under the Harbours Act 1964 and other relevant legislation. 

As a statutory harbour authority and major land owner, Lerwick Port Authority has environmental duties under the Harbours Act 1964 (as amended by the Transport and Works Act 1992) and other relevant legislation.  

The Authority’s aims are to preserve the balance between commercial, recreational and environmental interests, while maintaining a sustainable and commercially viable port.

The emphasis on caring for the environment in all areas of development and operations is demonstrated by the Authority’s Environmental Plan, the commitment to continually improving its environmental performance and by being the first port in Scotland to achieve certification to the BS EN ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Standard during 2008.

The Authority’s environmental strategies have been designed to address the delicate balance between maintaining profitability and reducing its impact on the environment.  This is achieved through effective implementation of a series of documented procedures and control measures including, operational control, fuel and energy monitoring, waste handling, segregation, recycling and disposal and emergency response. 

The Authority has identified the key aspects of its business that impact on the environment. This process is documented in the ‘Environmental Aspects Register’, which describes each environmental aspect, its impact on the environment and how significance is determined. Further information is available on request.

Integrated Management Systems

The Authority’s Environmental procedures and processes are drawn together with the existing BS EN ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management and Port Marine Safety Code compliant system (held by the Authority since 1995) to create a fully Integrated Management System.  Integrated Management Systems are a key tool in identifying and controlling environmental, health & safety and quality issues in continually improving and monitoring performance; and in implementing a systematic approach to formal risk assessment.

Policy

Lerwick Port Authority’s full commitment to compliance with all applicable environmental and health & safety legislation and other requirements is detailed in its Policy Statements.

Download: Lerwick Port Authority’s Environmental Policy Statement [PDF: 78Kb]
Download: Lerwick Port Authority’s Quality Policy Statement [PDF: 181Kb]
Download: Lerwick Port Authority’s Port Marine Safety Code Policy Statement [PDF: 179Kb]

Objectives & Targets

Lerwick Port Authority has developed a set of clear objectives and targets for improvement and a documented management programme to achieve them, with regular reviews for monitoring and continual improvement. Further information is available on request.

Legislation

Lerwick Port Authority has set procedures to continually evaluate compliance with environmental legislation covering the harbour’s operations, including waste management, effluents and discharges, noise, storage, contaminated land, climate change and nature conservation, and to be aware of proposed national and European legislation. Further information is available on request.

Port Waste Reception

Lerwick Port Authority (LPA) operates a Port Waste Management Plan fully approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).  This ensures that all ship generated waste and cargo residue is controlled at all piers and quays.  The waste management plan details the location of all waste reception facilities at the Authority’s piers and harbours.  It also contains a list of the contractors used for waste disposal.

The plan ensures that LPA complies with the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Port Waste Reception Facilities) Regulations 2003 and other relevant legislation and guidelines, including, Marine Guidance Note (MGN) 253 and A Guide to Good Practice – Port Waste Management Planning, issued by the MCA.  It is intended for use by all vessels, which use those berths operated by the Authority, Shipping Agents and relevant businesses that use the facilities of the port.  The overall aim of the Plan is to assist in the reduction of the quantity of all types of wastes entering the sea.

All vessels landing waste at Lerwick Harbour (other than those with approved exemptions from the MCA) must give notification of waste disposal to Port Control:- 

• where Lerwick is known to be the next port of call at 24 hours before arrival; or
• as soon as possible after the Port of Lerwick as a destination is known;
• where the duration of the voyage is less than 24 hours, at latest on departure from the previous port.

The ship may use their own notification form providing the information on that form meets the statutory requirements and submit it by fax or email.  A copy of the notice referred to shall be retained on board the ship until at least the next port of call in accordance with the MCA guidance in Marine Guidance Note MGN 253 (M + F).

International Catering Waste (ICW)

International catering waste is subject to strict controls on how it should be handled and disposed of.

Disposal of International Catering Waste (ICW) by visiting yachts - Yacht Crews arriving from countries outside the *European Union are requested to contact Port Control to arrange appropriate disposal of food waste and its packaging. ICW must not be placed in the green domestic skips provided.  *The following countries, in addition to EU countries do not produce ICW - Iceland, Andorra, Norway, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and Gibraltar.

Disposal of International Catering Waste (ICW) by all other visiting Vessels - Where vessels land ICW, it should be clearly marked with the vessel’s name/ICW. Lerwick Port Authority and/or Ships Agent should be advised that such waste has been landed by best means available i.e. Channel 12 VHF to Port Control or through Agents communications.  Ships Agents shall supply Lerwick Port Authority with relevant data on ICW landed at Lerwick Harbour. 

Exemptions

Vessels can apply from exemptions from some of the requirements of the Port Waste Management Reception Regulations.  Ships so entitled should apply to the Maritime Coastguard Agency in accordance with MCA Guidance Note MGN 259 (M+F), who shall then advise the Lerwick Port Authority if a vessel operating in their jurisdiction has received such exemption.

Download: Lerwick Port Authority’s Port Waste Management Plan [PDF Format: 1.25Mb]
Download: Ship's Waste Notification form [PDF Format: 57kb]