“As we improve our operations and upgrade facilities, we take every step we can to preserve Georgia’s historic, majestic trees,” said GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch. “The 10-year-old live oak sapling we’re planting today is a small example of how the GPA provides for our natural resources today and into the future.”

On the 1,200-acre Garden City Terminal, the GPA protects and preserves habitats from wetlands to old growth oak trees, as part of its commitment to conduct port operations in an environmentally responsible manner.

The sapling planted Friday joins a grove of about a dozen trees that are more than 200 years old adjacent to Highway 25. The oldest oaks at the port facility date to the mid-1600s.
Local arborist Shannon Baughman applauded the GPA’s sustainability effort protecting trees.

“Maintaining these old-growth trees at a working port shows that it is possible for industry and the natural environment to coexist,” Baughman said. “The shade these trees provide, the oxygen they produce and the carbon sequestered in their massive trunks provide long-term benefits to the area. It’s exciting that the Georgia Ports Authority recognizes their value.”

The GPA has a long track record of sustainable practices.

The Authority currently preserves 300 acres of natural wetlands in Brunswick, and has established 14 acres of wetlands at the Port of Savannah for its natural filtering capability, in order to protect the Savannah River. Additionally, GPA is a longtime supporter of the Caretta Research Project, which protects sea turtle hatchlings.

The GPA has transitioned its ship-to-shore cranes from diesel to electric power to reduce its carbon footprint, and in 2016, received the EPA Clean Air Excellence Award for its electric rubber-tired gantry crane program.

The eRTG program will transfer GPA’s rubber-tired gantry crane fleet – used to handle containers on terminal – to electric power. This will virtually eliminate diesel fuel usage for these machines and reduce the terminal’s diesel emissions.

High-tech lighting controls and container yard light fixtures reduce light pollution and cut energy consumption by 60 percent.

“Operating Georgia’s deepwater ports sustainably is an integral part of our mission,” said Lynch. “In every business decision, the Authority balances continued economic growth with being good stewards of precious natural resources.”

Saqr Port Authority is about to establish new berths in order to further strengthen their position in the in the Middle East bulk market.
Saqr Port Authority recently signed a contract for two new units LHM 800 in bulk handling configuration. These two machines will be the biggest mobile harbour cranes for bulk operation in the Middle East.
Saqr Port is located at the foot of the Hajar Mountains in the north of the United Arab Emirates. The port is mainly handling limestones and aggregates, which serves the majority of the construction projects within the Middle East and is central to its economic success.
Liebherr sold the first mobile harbour crane to Saqr Port more than 25 years ago. The partnership between both companies has grown successfully since then. Saqr Port operates eight Liebherr mobile harbour cranes of various types. Now they have opted for the biggest type available in Liebherrs extensive MHC product range – the LHM 800.