The British Ports Association has published a white paper with Augean on alternative routes for dealing with dredged contaminated sediments.
The British Ports Association (BPA) has published a white paper with Augean on alternative routes for dealing with dredged contaminated sediments. Augean are specialists in dealing with hazardous and contaminated materials and associate members of the BPA.
Part of the BPA’s Port Futures thought leadership programme, the paper provides an insight into alternative disposal routes for contaminated sediments. The BPA has been engaging with Government as it continues a long running review of its ‘action levels’ – the level at which regulators deem sediments actionable because of contaminants.
Industry expects that these levels will become stricter as political and social attitudes to environmental risk change over time, making traditional routes to disposing of sediments more difficult. Dredging is a major part of most ports’ conservancy efforts and is critical to ensuring safe navigation for vessels. The ports industry is highly competitive and changes to regulation are a key factor in infrastructure costs. As Government is reviewing this regulation, generally with a view to tightening it and adding costs, the BPA is committed to exploring interesting and innovative alternatives.
Commenting, Mark Simmonds, Head of Policy & External Affairs, at the British Ports Association said:
“Many of the BPA’s 100+ port members have significant duties and responsibilities for conservancy and dredging and many will have experience in dealing with contaminated sediments. Often this is the legacy of past industrial activity that ports today need to manage carefully. The BPA works closely with Government on environmental matters, advising on the impact of policy decisions and acting as a conduit between officials and industry. As environmental regulation becomes every tighter across the UK, we are keen to explore and share ideas and experiences in dealing with common issues such as these. We are pleased to work with Augean in the preparation of this paper looking at potential alternative methods for dealing with contaminated sediments.”
David Bumpstead, of Augean Plc said:
“The maritime industry is facing a potential change in technical policy with reference to the classification of material suitable for disposal at sea. As the sector leader in modernising hazardous waste management providing sustainable, compliance-led waste management solutions, we at Augean believe in expanding the management of wastes otherwise difficult to handle and look to provide the necessary support and guidance to industry leaders. We hope that by sharing our knowledge and expertise in waste management we might better prepare the maritime industry, when dealing with materials unsuitable for sea disposal, and provide guidance as to the alternatives available to them. We have teamed up with the BPA to offer this white paper, detailing the processes used at our own facilities, demonstrating how contaminated materials can be treated in a compliant, cost effective and efficient way.”
Read the Report: Alternative Routes for Contaminated Sediments