Standardised procedures should be developed to reduce the risks associated with removal of growth from fouled hulls. To facilitate economic development of some regions, new ports and associated infrastructure will be required from time to time. The marine environment inside a port may be, by the nature of port operations, of a lower quality than that outside the port. Nevertheless, ports should manage for the marine environment within their borders to minimise such impacts and to continually improve their environmental performance. Similarly, they should not ignore the effects of their operations on adjacent waters.
Many ports already place a priority on good environmental management.
Ports should also play a role regarding the environmental behaviour of their customers, the shipping companies, ships and boats using their facilities, and any other port users. However, as ports are primarily meant to be commercial enterprises, environmental regulation is and should be the responsibility of government authorities. Ports should play a role as facilitators of environmental compliance, rather than regulators. Examples of facilitating compliance would include providing for waste reception services, information on ballast water requirements, and oil spill notification. Accessible and affordable waste reception facilities must be available to vessels.