The Seventh Maritime Silk Road Port International Cooperation Forum is held from July 17 to 19 in Ningbo, Zhejiang province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] 

Experts and leaders of the global port industry called for the development of green ports during the Seventh Maritime Silk Road Port International Cooperation Forum held from July 17 to 19 in Ningbo, Zhejiang province.

Timothy James Power, managing director at Drewry, a maritime research consultancy, said at the forum that decarbonization is one of the most important tasks for ports around the world. He said that seeking a new alternative energy is vital for both social stability and the green development of ports.

Many ports are exploring solutions to the new challenge, including Ningbo Zhoushan Port.

Mao Jianhong, board chairman of Zhejiang Seaport Group and Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group, said at the main forum on July 18 that China's ports and port operators are endeavoring to build a human community with a shared future.

According to Mao, Ningbo Zhoushan Port has included the construction of green ports in its development plan. Various measures have been launched to achieve that goal.

The port has upgraded its energy structures. Its approximately 400 frame cranes are powered with electricity instead of diesel fuel, reducing carbon emissions by 88,000 tons. It has also been promoting the use of electric, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and hydrogen trucks and battery swapping facilities. A total of 241 electric trucks, more than 500 LNG trucks and 50 hydrogen trucks are currently working in port areas.

To reduce pollution, Ningbo Zhoushan Port has utilized shore power technologies, installed dustproof nets at each dwarf and created a system to deal with oil spills and ship pollutants.

In addition, the port launched some innovative transportation solutions to reduce land transportation, which will further reduce pollutants emitted from trucks.

The Maritime Silk Road Port International Cooperation Forum, launched in 2015, offers a broad platform for communicating and sharing the latest ideas, research results and development experiences of the port and shipping industry.