¡¡¡¡What is more important: a charming golden coast, or a booming harbour logistics centre? Do we have to make a choice? Can economic development and environmental protection live in harmony?

¡¡¡¡More than a decade ago, this public-spirited individual with a passion for environmental protection was captivated by the vast blue ocean when he first settled in Yantian. However, the frequent passing of vessels from nearby ports and large-scale urban construction also made him worry about the future of this golden coast. Now, seeing crowds of clown fish cruising around the terminal foreshore, and seagulls flying in the air, Zhou Yunxin feels confident a harmonious relationship between the port and the environment is possible.
¡¡¡¡In fact, a number of substantial environmental protection initiatives implemented by Yantian International Container Terminal Limited (YICT) have been critical to solving some of Zhou Yunxin's previous concerns.

¡¡¡¡Energy-saving measures

¡¡¡¡YICT conserved 5 million kwh of power in 2007, saving about RMB4 million. As the port's throughput grows, the terminal is steadily lowering its per-unit energy consumption. In 2007 YICT dealt with 10.016 million TEU of containers, an increase of 13%, while the average energy consumption of a single container was 19.9% lower than in 2004. The energy required for the handling of ten containers back then would now be enough for 12.
¡¡¡¡YICT has realised one of its major "downsizing" moves in the operation of gantry cranes.
¡¡¡¡The 224 gantry cranes YICT now possesses consume about 60% of the company's fuel supply. To this end, YICT has launched successive oil conservation measures including super-capacitors, waveform correction devices and magnetic energy-saving devices. "We are taking more effective measures for environmental protection and energy conservation, particularly promoting gantry crane power supply restructuring project. It's impact will be clear," said the proud engineer in charge of the project. "We have now completed upgrades to 12 gantry cranes, and each saves 15,000 litres of fuel monthly, reducing 95% of the gas emissions and 35% of the noise emissions. We save nearly 80% of the operating costs. This year, another 20 gantry cranes will be re-equipped. "
¡¡¡¡Meanwhile, a project reducing engine speeds on gantry cranes has shown equally satisfying results. In 2007, each crane consumed 2,700 litres less oil per month without affecting normal operation efficiency. At RMB 5 per litre, the monthly saving mounts to RMB 13,500.
¡¡¡¡Apart from major moves on gantry cranes, YICT also carried out a series of energy-saving transformations on yard lighting, heating and indoor lighting systems. Started in 2006 and finished in 2007, the new yard-lighting technology has been applied to over half the lamps, saving energy at a rate of about 22.5% or around 600,000 kwh per year. In the terminal maintenance centre, machine repair workshops, fire department and other places, 70 solar water heaters have been installed, saving more than 120,000 kwh per year. In fact, energy-saving equipment has been widely adopted across the port. By Nov. 2007, 500 T5 lighting sets and 1,000 sets of energy-saving light bulbs had been installed, saving nearly 300,000 kwh every year.

¡¡¡¡Waste reductions and terminal improvements

¡¡¡¡If energy conservation, reduction of consumption and effective recycling are at the core of building up green ports, then clean production should absolutely be the cornerstone. In recent years, YICT has implemented a thorough policy of ‘waste reduction surgery , i.e. to the fullest extent, minimising the adverse effects caused by wastewater, gas emissions and solid wastes.
¡¡¡¡Besides guaranteed cleaning on terminal gantry cranes, quay cranes, containers and maintenance machinery, YICT has invested RMB 5.24 million into setting up seven sewage treatment stations for production wastewater and domestic sewage. All terminal wastewater has to go through a number of oil-water separation processes, and only standard wastewater may be discharged into municipal sewage pipes.
¡¡¡¡To ensure water quality, every year YICT invites an independent third party to test terminal drainage quality and, with the help of environmental inspection organisations, environmental monitoring points have been established around the port to keep up-to-the-minute records of the atmosphere, water and sound quality. In addition, YICT has installed air filtration devices on all port machinery to prevent excessive exhaust emissions.
¡¡¡¡YICT also has included steps in its policies to protect portside waters and to reduce the negative impact on the environment of normal ship production process. Container ocean liners, for example, must receive approval (following customs inspections) before discharging ballast water; any sewage discharged must first pass through specialised water treatment equipment and meet specified standards.
¡¡¡¡Solid wastes are classified into several categories: ordinary garbage is sent to professional companies for cleaning up, packaging or disinfection; if the ships have passed through infected areas, then they need to be disinfected or the garbage has to be incinerated. Meanwhile, in 2006, YICT recycled 660 tons of scrap metal and 1,800 discarded tires from port operations. At present, the port is widely promoting its campaign to create an international sanitary port supported by Yantian Exit/Entry Inspection and Quarantine Bureau ¨C every corner of the port has been covered by intensified supervision.

¡¡¡¡International collaboration

¡¡¡¡As an important place to facilitate human beings  economic activities, ports are encountering ever-growing pressure regarding environmental protection during economic development. In some developed countries of Europe and the US, ports have taken the lead, and it is from their advanced practice that China is learning so much in developing our own environmentally-friendly ports. YICT stands out as the first: on June 12th, 2007, it signed with Changtan Port the Memorandum on Environmental Protection Initiatives. The two sides will cooperate in environment-related issues including the preservation of wild animals, quality control of air, soil and water as well as sustainable development. The first step is to exchange technical information on improving air quality. Both sides will organise separate technical delegations to research and draft out feasible measures, such as improving methods of discharging port pollutants, measures to control airborne pollution and effective implementation strategies.
¡¡¡¡On one hand, this collaboration between the two ports reflects a consensus both domestic and foreign ports have reached on their social responsibility for environmental protection. On the other hand, it has also pushed domestic and international ports a step forward in sharing resources and exchanging experiences.