Salalah port sows seeds of a greener future

To mark the recent Oman Environment Day, our friends at the Port of Salalah transformed fifty oil drums into pots for native trees, a project that shows how ports can do their bit to support sustainability and biodiversity.

According to APM Terminals, the initiative follows a similar project conducted by the port to coincide with last year’s World Earth Day, when employees planted frankincense trees in green spaces near the port.

The initiative highlights the loss of the region’s native frankincense tree that has seen its numbers dramatically reduced in recent years. Many of the saplings have been given to local schools and hospitals.

Port officials have also pledged to recycle vehicle tyres as protective edges around shipping containers.

The port has won several international awards for health and safety, innovation and environmental initiatives.
 Last year for example, it was awarded the Containerisation International Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award.

Smarter, cleaner technologies

These projects, and many others like them, demonstrate what can be done in small, but important ways to reduce environmental impact. The Port of Salalah was also an early adopter of our innovative automated mooring technology MoorMaster™.

The system holds ships in place more effectively than conventional mooring lines, and means that vessels are not required to reposition along the quayside, thus reducing emissions. Furthermore, because mooring operations are far quicker, tugs are used less, thus further reducing emissions.

We commend the Port of Salalah on their efforts to improve sustainability. We look forward to working with the port, and our other partners and customers, to reduce environmental impact and drive efficiency at industrial applications all over the world.