Anatoly Lazarev: “Coal transshipment in the Far East enters a new phase - the ecological one”
In the run up to launching Phase 3 of the dedicated coal terminal of Vostochny Port JSC, its environmental aspect was inspected by representatives of regional and federal media. When speking at the media conference, Anatoly Lazarev, Managing Director of Vostochny Port JSC, told about specific features of the terminal which has no rivals in the Far East of Russia and explained why the company had invested about RUB 1 bln over four years.
According to Anatoly Lazarev, the port founded in 1974 was initially designed and equipped for handling hazardous cargoes. Therefore, the technologies allowing for minimization of coal dust harm are available at each phase of cargo handling. Environmental component of the technologies accounts for some 6-7% of the equipment value.
Specialized equipment (wagon dumpers, conveyors, stackers, reclaimers and shiploaders) allows for handling large amount of coal with minimal impact on the environment. Wagons are unloaded in closed premises and coal discharged from wagons is treated with dry steam. Then, air is pumped through the filters of the aspiration system. 21 air cleaning units operate 24 hours a day. In the open air, an automated sprinkling system is used at coal storage facilities. It consists of 144 powerful spray guns with a radius of 40 metres each. In winter period, snow cannons are used instead. To protect trains loaded with coal, the terminal has wind screens with a total length of 600 meters. All the water used in the process undergoes multilevel treatment. Renovated filtration system allows for ensures that waste water does not enter the sea. After treatment it is able to satisfy the criteria of the fishery water bodies. An authorized ecological laboratory is used to monitor the air and the water at the terminal.
Besides, the flying camera “Phantom” operates online to inform an operator promptly on the situation in the air and on the territory of the port. According to the Managing Director, regular laboratory analysis, environment within the production premises is within the norm.
The company reports show that investments in modernization of equipment and implementation of environmental measures in 2012-2016 totaled RUB 868 mln including RUB 705 mln spent for technological modernization, RUB 105 mln - for recovery of biological resources, RUB 158 mln – for routine environmental measures. In 2017, the company is to spend RUB 150 mln for the mentioned purposes.
The company management says it is focused on the environment since all the port employees including top managers live close to the port, in Vrangel and Nakhodka. The stevedore is one of the region’s largest employers (some 2,000 employees including Phase 3) and taxpayers (RUB 4 bln in 2016).
In 2016, the port arranged a meeting with members of the public who could visit the coal terminals. In December 2016, the company signed a 5-year agreement with Nakhodka municipality authorities. Under the agreement focused on social cooperation and environmental safety, Vostochny Port provided a RUB 6.3 mln sponsorship to acquire a street sweeper and RUB 1.6 mln to purchase a cutting-edge medical equipment for Nakhodka Municipal Hospital.
Moreover, in the framework of the recent visit of State Duma Deputy Viktoriya Nikolayeva the company has recently signed a two-party agreement on cooperation in the field of environmental safety. Under the document, the Deputy undertakes introduction of Vostochny Port practice in other ports of the region and across Russia. The stevedore, in its turn, will implement a number of environmentally focused projects.
Anatoly Lazarev believes that the year of 2017 is a milestone period when it comes to environmental standards: “Many years of efforts made by public, businesses and the state lead the market to closer compliance with national environmental legislation. Pollution-intensive production which was widespread several years ago and used to be seen as normal business is not possible now”.
Yevgeny Pankratyev
