True to its commitment to global initiatives to combat climate change, promote renewable energy, and decarbonize ports and maritime transport, the Mexican business unit of the Razon-led International Container Terminal Services Inc. was recently bestowed a Carbon Neutrality UNE-14064-3:2019 certification.
Contecon Manzanillo S.A. de C.V. is the first business organization across the Mexican port industry to be certified as carbon neutral.
Earning this distinction consolidates Contecon’s leadership as a vanguard gateway in favor of Manzanillo, Colima, and Mexico.
The carbon neutrality certificate also highlights the company’s efforts to offset the greenhouse gas emissions through reduction and compensation practices.
Zero emission ops
These efforts include counteracting and maintaining zero emission from equipment such as cranes, port tractors, air conditioners, and other polluting sources; compensating for emissions through sponsorships of forests and protected areas; and initiating sustainable initiatives like the execution of circular economies and incorporation of technologies that reduce the operational impact of the Port of Manzanillo — the primary port in the Mexican Pacific.
“We are proud to be the first terminal in Mexico verified under this regulation. At Contecon, we are quite clear about maintaining an agenda aligned with our business in which climate change is combatted and the use of renewable energy is encouraged,” said José Antonio Contreras, Contecon Manzanillo chief executive officer.
“More importantly, we are moving firmly towards the decarbonization of ports and maritime transport in Mexico. Having this type of certification portrays us as an organization that demonstrates commitment, talent, and a real position for change in the face of environmental problems,” he added.
Passing the audit performed by TÜV Rheinland, Contecon Manzanillo demonstrated its ability to adequately reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and move forward in a timely manner toward an energy transition across Mexico’s maritime transport.
In 2021, the company’s direct and indirect CO2e emissions amounted to 25,368.67 tons while total offset emissions amounted to 25,369 tons.
The audit firm said they recognize Contecon Manzanillo’s vision and leadership in the industry by maintaining its operations in constant improvement since being awarded previous certifications for its management system, and now voluntarily submitting to verification by TÜV Rheinland of Mexico for its greenhouse gas emissions generated in 2021 and the neutralization process that was carried out.
“Granting this certification is a historic event for Contecon Manzanillo. At TÜV Rheinland de México, we are proud to have collaborated with them in their journey to become the first port terminal in Mexico to obtain the carbon neutral certification,” said Hermann Saenger, TÜV Rheinland de Mexico country manager.