One or two U. S. ports have created explicit EMS programs (the Port of Houston is an example, the Port of Portland is another), but as with many other sectors, the bulk of the activity in the EMS arena has so far been carried out in other countries, particularly in Europe. There are nevertheless some high-quality resources available that would be capable of providing much of the needed raw material, particularly regarding matters of substance for EMS programs, should they catch on here.
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) provides an index page devoted to Environmental Management resources, and sponsors recognition programs for environmental performance, but there does not appear to be any particular emphasis on EMS development.
Only a few items have been identified that are comprehensive enough to serve as good starting points for EMS development, but what there is may be sufficient. The overall best resource is the Environmental Management Handbook available from AAPA. A report from the Urban Harbors Institute (at the University of Massachusetts), Green Ports, also deserves mention, as it contains a wealth of potentially valuable background material. An article in the British journal Terra et Aqua represents one of the few identified that deal with the EMS process from a specifically ports perspective.
A recently (2003) launched initiative, the Port EMS Assistance Project, will provide support for development and implementation of EMSs for up to ten participants.
The table below also contains several resources relating to shipping companies and their major customers that are participating in the Business for Social Responsibility's Clean Cargo-Green Freight Working Group.