Hutchison Ports FHC officials were pleased to visit the renowned, environmentally progressive Port of San Diego in San Diego, California on Wednesday, March 30^th, 2022.

As part of its business development plans for progression toward a sustainable future, Freeport Harbour Company has set out to build and enhance strategic partnerships with industry stakeholders as well as international entities. It is envisioned that these partnerships will aid in:  

• International marketing visibility 
• Development of operational best-practices and commercial strategies
• Improved technological efficiencies and facilities 
• Promotion of innovative start-up businesses 

FHC’s Sustainability Vision is guided by that of the global Hutchison Ports’ Group. This vision is grounded in the protection, conservation, and proactive development of our most valuable resources: our environment and our people – which includes team members themselves as well as the communities that the group lives and operatesin. In alignment with these goals, several sustainability targets have been established for the next five years, notably including: 

• Transitioning to clean energy 
• Promoting a culture of innovation as we take on sustainable new ventures and projects 
• Reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from port related activities to fight climate change
• Zero tolerance policies to environmental and marine pollution, which encompasses the promotion of biodiversity in ecologically threatened areas. 

As Freeport Harbour Company continues to grow, the port aims to cultivate a diverse network of blue economy centered tenants, who share our vision to protect and preserve our oceans and community. Further, it is anticipated that this network will provide a dual opportunity for eco-tourism on Grand Bahama. 

Alongside FHC officials were executives of Blue Action Lab, a Grand Bahama based organization committed to developing sustainable marine ecosystems and coastal communities in the face of climate change. 

Meetings with executives and key stakeholders of the Port of San Diego, as well as a tour of the Port facilities confirmed that the entity shares similar goals as FHC (as well as BAL) and have already successfully created a functional model. 

The Port of San Diego has also set aggressive sustainability targets, one outstanding initiative being the ‘Maritime Clean Air Strategy’ which details the port’s goal of 100% zero-emission cargo handling equipment by 2030. A global leader in the blue economy, the Port of San Diego also established its ‘Blue Economy Incubator’ in 2016 to assist in the creation, development, and scaling of new water-dependent business ventures on San Diego Bay focusing on sustainable aquaculture and Port-related blue technologies. 

Hutchison Ports FHC looks forward to strengthening this and other potential partnerships, as we expand and modernize the port, creating a unique offering for Freeport Harbour, and by extension, the island of Grand Bahama.