Green Port in Mexico: Development of combustion emission inventory in the Port of Veracruz, Mexico

摘要

The low efficiency and productivity in the Mexican ports up to 1991 was a concern of the Mexican government, reason which in 1994, the "Administration Portuaria Integral de Veracruz" (APIVER) was founded. It should be mentioned that it is a very important participation on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Mexico. That is why the enlargement and modernization of the port is of great importance. This action should consider all together the possible potential negative impact in the environment of the area, should be prevented, minimized and controlled. APIVER has a strategic importance in the national and international commercial exchange in the Gulf of Mexico, for this reason the enlargement of the port area is a priority for the Country of Mexico. The Worldwide concept "Green Ports" is the conjunction of activities and technologies that when applied inter, multi and trans disciplinary management on the port operations maintain the sustainability of the area. The application of the concept "Green Ports" contemplates the following benefits: 1. Point out the APIVER project as a leader in Mexico growing with social and environmental responsibility at the national and international level. 2. Protect the community from negative potential environmental impacts due to the port activities (actual and future). 3. Support the actual and future sustainability from the operation of the APIVER. 4. Give environmental education courses to the community. The first stage of this project is the combustion atmospheric emissions inventory, such as Cargo Handling Equipment (CHE), in APIVER. "CHE consider: cranes, container and bulk handling equipment, is generally an intensive energy user and source of emissions in port and related areas. The project aims to understand how to reduce energy intensity and emissions from the range of CHE used through options such as retrofitting emissions controls, replacement with newer, cleaner equipment or using cleaner fuel technologies, such as electrification".