The port of Ceuta has a privileged situation in the north of Africa, just located in the Strait of Gibraltar where around one hundred thousand vessels cross every year. Given that situation, it is easy to imagine that our port is one of the main Spanish ports regarding bunkering services and passenger traffic due to our regular line with Algeciras, in the other side of the Strait of Gibraltar.
According to this introduction, it is of a paramount importance to highlight that we are very engaged with environmental issues and it can be affirmed that the port of Ceuta is a pioneer in environmental management with certificactions such as: ISO 14001:215, EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme), and PERS (Port Environmental Review System), among others. Apart from that, we are aligned with the sustainable objectives of the 2030 Agenda.
Due to this huge advance in spite of being a small port, the Port Authority of Ceuta has implemented several actions for improving and respecting all the rich area which surrounds the port. For instance, the monitoring of the air and water quality, the use of drones so as to surveillance the bunkering discharges, the use of electric vehicles, the installation of some photovoltaic panels and the replacement of the old lights by a LED system. All these practices are designed to reduce the environmental impact derived from the different port operations.
Apart from that, it is necessary to underline that the maritime area in Ceuta is very appreciated. In fact, the marine bottom is specially important regarding flora and fauna. Because of this reason, the port of Ceuta put into practice a sentinel service to carry out environmental studies. The most relevant novelty is the project called “Museo Abierto” launched together with “Fundación Museo del Mar”. This initiative tries to provide aal the stakeholders with information about the most relevant projects and ideas related to the conservation and investigation of the coastal and marine heritage. This project started last year coinciding with the port of call of the cruise ship “Nieuw Statendam” in Ceuta. Furthermore, this practice serves as an opportunity to integrate the cruise tourism into the port activity and into the society in general.
Finally, in the next years and, as a clear evidence of environmental awareness, the port of Ceuta is now working in the study and feasibility of putting into service the OPS system in the cruise pier, in such a way we continue working in the same line of respect and care of the environment.
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