The Port Authority of Seville (APS) renewed for the third consecutive time its Environmental Management System (EMS) in accordance with the PERS (Port Environmental Review System) standard. This distinction, sponsored by the EcoPorts network and recommended by ESPO (European Sea Ports Organisation), is considered the most important and specific European standard for the port sector.
This certification, first obtained in 2022, has been renewed thanks to the incorporation of various milestones over the last two years. Such as, for example, the new design of the noise map, the drafting of the Environmental Code of Conduct, the Guide to Good Environmental Practices for the handling of solid bulk cargo, the installation and use of nebulizers, or the 2024-2025 Sustainability Report.
The EcoPorts network, linked to ESPO, works to improve the sustainability, environmental protection and efficiency of European ports through cooperation and knowledge exchange between these infrastructures. PERS certification is granted through independent verification of the Environmental Management System by the certification body Lloyd’s Register when it verifies that the system is compliant.
Obtaining this certificate places the Port of Seville at the European forefront in terms of sustainability, facilitating collaboration with technical partners and prioritizing sustainability as an organizational guarantee. This is an external recognition that expands upon the ISO 14001 standard by including specific requirements aimed at the port sector.
Currently, there are 26 ports at the European level that hold this environmental recognition. In its particular case, the Port of Seville is one of the nine Spanish ports that maintain a valid PERS certification (Bilbao, Barcelona, Castellón, Valencia, Ceuta, Melilla, Huelva and Algeciras).
Finally, the APS also renewed the certification of its integrated quality and environmental management system in accordance with the UNE-EN ISO 9001 and 14001 standards, after completing the audit by the certification body Bureau Veritas. Furthermore, it has expanded the scope of said management system, thereby guaranteeing that all activity carried out by this institution complies with the quality and environmental standards established by said internationally recognized standards.
The scope of both certifications, which are valid until May 2029, covers the provision of general services, as well as the management and control of port services, planning of the port service area and port uses; the management of the port public domain, the planning, design, construction, conservation and operation of port works and services; as well as that of the assigned maritime signals, and the planning and coordination of both maritime and terrestrial port traffic.
