Award Nomination:
Montrose Port Authority (MPA) has an impressive zero harm record in its Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) key performance indicators, embedding these principles within its management systems. With a focus on preventing workplace injuries and illnesses, MPA has maintained 17.5 years without a Lost Time Incident since August 17, 2006. This achievement highlights MPA’s commitment to eliminating accidents, integrating safe practices, and prioritising continuous improvement, proactive prevention, and wellbeing in all initiatives.
While good health and safety management has been a longstanding practice in the port industry, wellbeing has often lacked the attention it deserves. MPA surpasses traditional HSE projects by integrating wellbeing into all its initiatives. This comprehensive approach ensures better management of the wellbeing of port users and the local community, seamlessly combining HSE and wellbeing in every action, including new projects like shore power.
The Department of Transport indicates that approximately 70-90% of port emissions are generated by visiting vessels, with emissions at berth being notably higher (72%) than those from manoeuvring vessels (16%). MPA’s own carbon counting revealed that over 95% of its Scope 3 emissions come from visiting vessels.
To address these emissions, improve the wellbeing of staff, port users, and the adjacent community, and inspire other ports to adopt greener operations, MPA launched a ground-breaking shore power service in April 2024. As the first port in Scotland to provide shore power to offshore energy supply vessels, the facility significantly reduces harmful emissions, noise pollution, and fuel consumption. This self-funded innovation not only enhances community wellbeing but also brings MPA closer to its ambition of becoming Scotland’s first carbon-neutral port.
Additional Information
What is shore power
While berthed in port, ships require power to maintain their lights, heating, cooling, and other essential vessel functions. Typically, this power is provided by running the ship’s diesel-fuelled auxiliary engines. Shore power is the process of providing electrical power from the shore to a ship while at berth, thereby allowing a ship’s auxiliary engines to be turned off and the burning of diesel fuel to cease. Therefore, shore power is an effective way of reducing harmful emissions, noise pollution and fuel consumption, contributing to a healthier environment for those onboard and the local community. Additionally, by providing ship operators with an alternative to running diesel auxiliary engines while berthed, shore power technology also reduces ship owners’ fuel and running costs.
When planning a project of this magnitude all aspects of Health, Safety, Environment and Wellbeing were considered from the installation to long term benefits for the port, vessel owners, vessel crews and the local community:
Safety
- Excavations for the cable track from substation to high voltage transformer were conducted by competent, quality contractors following HSG 47 avoiding danger from the port’s underground services.
- Cables, quayside connection points, low voltage distribution cabinets, a high voltage transformer and all other associated equipment were installed safely by qualified and competent contractors to a very high standard.
- The shore power facility and its installation systems offer a safe, easy and convenient connection process from shore to vessel that can be managed via an app on any mobile handheld device.
- Improved safety for crew members, enabling maintenance tasks like air leak inspections can be performed with the engines shut down, ensuring a safer working environment.
Health
- With engines shut down, noise pollution is minimised, creating a quieter and more comfortable environment for crew members and nearby residents.
- Shore power significantly cuts down emissions from vessel diesel engines, leading to improved air quality for port workers and surrounding communities.
Environment
- By using electricity from 100% renewable energy, shore power dramatically cuts CO2 emissions, contributing to global efforts against climate change. In the first 8 weeks of launching, 13 connections from vessels have saved 67 tonnes of CO2.
- Shore power reduces the reliance on fossil fuels, helping to conserve natural resources and lessen the environmental footprint of maritime operations.
- On board servicing of engines and cost of maintenance to the vessel owners is drastically reduced with less wear and tear on auxiliary engines.
Wellbeing
- Stress free, easy to operate system.
- Vessel crew can relax on board without engines running, ensuring a quieter environment and allowing crew members in the engine room to work comfortably without the need for ear defenders.
- Reduced emissions and noise contribute to better overall health for staff, ports users and the local community, promoting a higher quality of life.
What other ways does Montrose port factor wellbeing into its policies?
MPA Employee Wellbeing:
MPA values its staff and provides a health surveillance program annually based on the ENG1 Seafarers Medical which is a more in depth medical where mental health, stress, physical and general occupational health are all assessed and managed. Here are the MPA employee values:
- Connect: Engaged, supported, valued and positively challenged and like what they do
- Be Active: Helped to maintain a good physical and mental fitness
- Keep Learning: Learning and development to build a better self confidence
- Give: Involved as part of our local community projects
- Take Notice: Develop a positive mindset
Wellbeing Integration Success Summary
As previously pointed out, industries have been very focused on protecting workers from ‘harm’, with safety as their main focus, and health an added bonus.
However, the evidence shows that thinking about health, safety, environment and wellbeing in an integrated way can lead not just to a safer, happier and healthier workforce but also improved operating outcomes for all port users, our local community and the climate.
