The only national port this week became the first in Latin America to join the RightShip program, which grants discounts of between 5% and 10% of the port fare to encourage the use of sustainable vessels along with care of the environment.
Since 2016, the administration of Puerto Buenos Aires has been focused on optimising its logistics and port processes, minimizing their impact on the environment. In 2017, it adhered to the Environmental Ship Index (ESI) programs and the Green Award, which promotes this system of bonuses for ships that care for the environment. Since its implementation, discounts have been granted for the amount of $ 5,634,685.87 from 230 landings.
In the same year, ISO 9001: 2015 and 14001: 2015 standards were certified, guaranteeing quality in the development of processes to reduce the impact on the environment. For this project, a team of permit holders and concessionaires began work to improve their environmental performance and raise awareness about the importance of separating waste, thus reducing the amount that is sent to landfill and allows the Cooperativa “El Ceibo” to recycle 1.6 tons of waste per month.
Puerto Buenos Aires is moving forward with the digitisation and simplification of many of its procedures that, until recently, were done in a person and on paper: the registration and re-registration of suppliers, the sending of cargo manifests, the consultation and downloading of Tender documents, as well as claims, can now be made online. In addition, it was the first company in the State to join the electronic documentation system, GDO, which allows for the digital processing of files. Over a 2-year period the GDO system produced a paper saving equivalent to 33 trees.
Currently, the Port Community System, a single port window that will allow the exchange of electronic foreign trade documents between logistics operators, port authorities and cargo agents is being tendered.
In addition to the bonus, RightShip provides an online predictive platform for ship vetting and inspections, helping its clients to manage maritime risk. This service is free of charge for the members of the OAS Inter-American Ports Commission, where the National Port Authorities of all OAS Member States meet for international collaboration; the construction of dialogue and commitments with the international community, and the development of competitive, safe, sustainable and inclusive ports that, since 2018, is exemplified by Puerto Buenos Aires.
“It is necessary that the activities we develop contemplate the care of the environment and the safety of the people who work and circulate in our port. Therefore, in addition to advancing the recovery of port areas that were abandoned and polluted, we are implementing and encouraging good practices and technology that allows a safe and sustainable economic development “- Gonzalo Mórtola, Interventor of Puerto Buenos Aires.