The Port of Bellingham became one of six ports in the state to receive a Green Marine certification amid sustainability efforts such as the electrification of the shipping terminal.
While the port has been a part of Green Marine since 2023, Sustainability Manager Adrienne Douglass-Scott told port commission members Tuesday, Sept. 3, that the effort to get certified had been an ongoing conversation since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Douglass-Scott said the Green Marine certification — which applies to Bellingham’s shipping, cruise and C Street terminals — was rigorous because ports must undergo a self evaluation as well as a third-party evaluation. The third-party evaluation for the port was conducted earlier this year, with the certification following in June.
Portions of the port’s evaluation include implementing measures to reduce greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, improving the conditions of the aquatic ecosystem in the area and reducing community exposure to the port’s activities and operations. Each item is rated on a one to five scale.
“We’re trying not to think of this as like a score,” Douglass-Scott said. “We’re looking at it as a benchmark, and then that continuous improvement as you move down the pathway toward number five.”
The port received a one on community relations, underwater noise and greenhouse gas emissions, which means the port is monitoring regulations. It received a two on community impacts, like noise pollution, waste management and spill prevention and storm prevention. Finally, the port received a three for environmental leadership.
Douglass-Scott noted that the benchmarks in each criteria area are helping the port vet and network with potential clients seeking to make Bellingham their base.
The port has been making inroads to make its shipping terminal greener. The port was recently selected to receive a $2.8 million grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation to electrify the port. Eleven other ports in Washington also received grants through the Climate Commitment Act for shore power projects.
The electrification project will allow ships docked at the shipping terminal to plug into the port’s electrical grid. That means ships can turn off onboard generators, essentially turning off the diesel engines, and use the grid to power the ship while materials are loaded or unloaded.
Mike Hogan, the port’s public affairs administrator, wrote in a news release the electrification project will reduce noise levels, and carbon and diesel emissions.
“Electrification will help the Bellingham Shipping Terminal serve as a clean energy home base for sustainable shipping companies and escort tugs serving local barges and vessels,” according to the release.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
