UNDERSTANDING the importance of greening coupled with an increased awareness of sustainable development for long-term success has prompted Westport Malaysia to embrace efficient and environmentally-friendly port operations

In fact, this premiere transhipment mega hub is "green" in its landscapes and green in its operations. Anyone who step foot in this port will note the planning done to blend the port with its natural environment.

Westport, known internationally and nationally for its innovations in the industry and its record-breaking feats, is also reputed to be the first garden port in the world.

The idea of a garden port was manifested from the- vision of Westport's executive chairman, Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam, who believes a seaport can be as attractive in surrounding and ambiance as an airport.

Towards realizing this vision, Westport landscaped over 8ha of its vacant land, featured in six themed gardens which includes 300 varieties of tree and flowering plants, inclusive of three waterfalls.

Every industry has the responsibility to mitigate the impact it has on the environment. Westport takes the greening process a step further via its environmentally-friendly practices.

Realizing that it is important to anchor its commitment towards environmentally-friendly approaches at all levels of the organisation, a "Greenport Campaign" was launched. This programme, which is organized annually, promotes environmental awareness among staff. The campaign also encourages recycling of paper.

The commitment of the management to maintain cleanliness is reflected in the spotless and litter-free port area. The entire 580ha port area is kept clean as a whistle with labourers and usage of elgine sweeper machines. Working with the local council, MPK, the waste is regularly collected and segregated in classified bins to be recycled.

At the water-side port operations, there is continuous cleaning and washing of the wharves, as well as making sure that the waters are free from oil spillage.

Regular dredging is done at berth areas to ensure that proper depth conditions are maintained to guarantee ease of shipping movements. The waste from dredging is brought to a dumpsite situated far away from any habitation

Through its extensive use of IT technologies to digitise and computerise its port operations, Westport has created a paperless working environment to boost its documentation efficiency and reduce the usage of paper to a minimum.

To promote a paper-less working environment, the entire inter-departmental communications is done via emails, newsletters and even faxes are sent through computers.

The management also implements an energy-saving management system to ensure energy conservation and cost saving. Some of the initiatives taken through this energy saving system are retro-fitting of vessels and lighting systems that are occupancy based and regulating crane power consumption.

To illustrate the efforts taken by the management to minimise energy consumption is its eligibility to participate in a award for the Asean Energy Conservation Best Practice Competition in Buildings 2004.

Companies play an integral part in the sustainable development of their natural resources and the environment.

As a corporate citizen who takes its responsibility to the environment seriously, Westport believes in operating in a greener fashion to protect, preserve and pass on an unmarred environment to succeeding generations.

The NST, 29.6.2005