Taking Sustainability as an important aspect of competition

As Managing Director of HPA, Jens Meier was born in Hamburg. After completing his studies in computer science and the supplementary subject of economics at the University of Hamburg, Mr Meier (45) started his professional career at Software Design & Management AG (Ernst & Young group). As a member of the management board, he was in charge of the Hamburg and Hanover branch offices from 1997 onwards. His customers included HHLA, the VW group, Hypovereinsbank, Münchener Rück, Start Amadeus and the Otto group.

In 2000, he was appointed divisional manager of Systematics AG (later EDS). His responsibilities included consulting and software development. From July 2002 onwards, Jens Meier was CEO of tts Holding GmbH & Co. KG where he was in charge of IT, finances and international logistics. Upon the sale of the tts group to Fiege in 2006, he was appointed to the board of directors of Fiege Holding Stiftung & Co. KG, Greven. Since April 1st, 2008 Jens Meier has been serving as CEO of Hamburg Port Authority (HPA). Mr. Meier is a founding member of the Hamburger Informatik Forums e.V. board of directors. The association promotes the co-operation between the University of Hamburg and business. He is a member of the alumni of the Young Business People at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and senator of the Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade where he represents the logistics industry. Furthermore the senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg appointed him to the board of trustees of the Logistics Initiative Hamburg. Jens Meier is married and has 3 children.

The environment is an increasingly hot topic - “green logistics” is the keyword. What is the port of Hamburg doing in this aspect?

For the port of Hamburg sustainability is an important aspect of competition. More and more companies are mindful of a "green" logistics chain. Ports play a vital role here. The Hamburg Port Authority first created the organisational structures to come up with the answers needed to meet environmental challenges. The environmental strategy department started to coordinate the environmentally relevant areas of activity within the port authority two years ago. Our aim is to bring our corporate policy and hence the long-term development of the port of Hamburg into line with sustainability principles. For many years now the port authority has been recycling land and, despite increasing trade volumes, it has managed to avoid using new land. The institution is also committed to protecting the climate and has adopted a strategy that is in line with the ambitious goals of the city of Hamburg. On top, HPA has become a member of the UmweltPartnerschaft Hamburg, an organisation advocating environmental awareness. Such, HPA invests a lot in promoting eco-friendly rail and water transport and emission reduction in many areas. Steps to introduce an environmental management system, environmental discounts on port dues, port railway eco fees for the use of low-noise wagons, railway points heated with geothermal energy as well as a traffic management system to reduce congestion on the port’s roads show the diversity of approaches pursued.

In how far does HPA collaborate with other parties from the port and transport industry?

First and foremost, we see ourselves as initiator and partner. For example, the HPA supports “green” initiatives of terminal operators (research projects: soft touch-down, feeder logistics centre) and shipping companies (clean cargo working group). Enormous efforts are required not only by the ports, but by the entire maritime and transport industry. In order to reduce the negative impacts on the environment, ports, handling operators, shipping companies, shipyards, transport companies - to name but a few - must all act in concert. Solutions can only be worked out in collaboration with all parties involved. Such, HPA has a stake in various international research and work groups looking into options such as shore power for ships or electro-mobility. To further improve the international exchange of expert knowledge, the port authority will host the forthcoming GreenPort Congress in September. Port experts from all over the world will meet in Hamburg to discuss sustainability and environmental protection in the port industry.

What does HPA hope to achieve with the GreenPort Congress?

On the one hand, we want to promote knowledge exchange on an international level. The logistics industry is more globally oriented than any other branch, and ideas and solutions can only be worked out within an international framework. On the other hand, we as the HPA want to show that we take environmental protection seriously and that we are willing to commit ourselves.

What steps has the port authority taken to promote the deployment of more eco-friendly drives and fuels? As Europe‘s biggest port-rail hub, we will introduce an environmental discount on railway fees - the first such discount in the world by the way. We hope that targeted financial incentives will encourage companies to use wagons with noise-reducing brakes and locomotives equipped with diesel soot filters. Noise and soot pollution in the port will decline and railway transport will become even greener. HPA also participates in electro-mobility research projects: in spring this year, the port authority started using its first electric car.

On 1 July, the port authority introduced an environmental discount on port dues based on the Environmental Ship Index (ESI). The ESI is an international standard that makes ships’ emissions comparable. Ships are identified and assessed based on environmental criteria similar to emission badges displayed on vehicles. HPA’s aim is to encourage ship owners and shipping companies to invest in eco-friendly drives and fuels.

Apart from waterborne traffic sustainability is also an issue when it comes to hinterland transport. What is HPA doing about this?

We are active in a diverse range of areas. For instance, Hamburg is already Europe’s biggest rail port with a rail share of over 30 %. We seek to reinforce this position and are investing in railway infrastructure facilities by constructing new and enhancing existing bridges and railway tracks, and we are investing in intelligent traffic management systems. This year, one of the world’s most advanced traffic information systems started operations in the port of Hamburg to help reduce waiting times, prevent jams and thus lower CO2 emissions. Simultaneously, we are working on new IT systems for the port railway and shipping traffic. Our aim is to increase the efficiency and consequently the sustainability of landside traffic.

The port of Hamburg is located right in the heart of the city. What measures is HPA taking to ensure the further economic development and protect land resources at the same time?

For several years now the port has been growing mostly ‘to the inside’. For one, upgrading work will increase the productivity at the quay walls and second, all large-scale expansion projects, such as the expansion to the west, are or will be carried out within the port’s boundaries. The plans for the Central Terminal Steinwerder (CTS), a 125-hectare large site situated at Mittlerer Freihafen, are worth mentioning in particular: within the scope of an international market consultation process, the HPA gathered ideas for the port of the future. Apart from efficient land use, environmental aspects were the focus of the process.