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In acknowledgement of the green building credentials demonstrated during the design and construction stages, QTerminals Container Terminal 2 at Hamad Port has been awarded with internationally recognized sustainability certifications under the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). Awarded by the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD), the project has received GSAS Construction Management certification with a Class A rating. Within the terminal, QAS South Building has received GSAS 3 Stars Certificate under Design & Build, Offices Scheme. In addition, the terminal is undergoing GSAS Design & Build for the whole of the Phase 1 & 2 area. Celebrating the achievement, an awarding ceremony was held, marked by the presence of senior leadership from GORD, the Project Consultants and QTerminals which is the terminal operator responsible for enabling Qatar’s imports and exports and its maritime trade flows.

Appreciating QTerminals’ efforts in materializing sustainability goals, Dr. Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman of GORD, said, “In today’s globalized world, ports play an integral role in shaping the economic development of nations. At the same time, terminal operators are the ones that add value and streamline supply chains. QTerminals has an enormous responsibility to optimize and expand Hamad Port’s operational capacity to better connect Qatar with the international market. It is heartening to see that in delivering its operational goals, QTerminals has remained climate-conscious by opting for environmentally responsible practices in developing sustainable infrastructure projects such as Container Terminal 2.”

Speaking on behalf of QTerminals, Mr. Neville Bissett, QTerminals Group CEO, said, “QTerminals is proud to be part of this great and forward-looking sustainability initiative in port operations. We understand the importance and the impact of new developments on the environment and we will continue to drive these initiatives in all our future projects.”

Demonstrating outstanding on-site practices during the construction management phase, Container Terminal 2 is the first project to receive GSAS Construction Management certificate under GSAS 2019, which represents a comprehensive sustainability assessment framework for rating onsite practices developed by contractors. In evaluating the sustainability achievement of the project, construction activities across the entire area of Container Terminal 2 were considered for their environmental performance.

GSAS-CM Class A rating attained by Container Terminal 2 represents one of the highest levels awarded to projects that incorporate sustainability best practices during construction through land preservation mechanisms, efficient traffic management, energy and water conservation, waste management, dust control, responsible stockpiles management, recycling and reuse of materials, health and safety measures and worker conditions.

To divert construction waste of 132,000 m³ from landfills, Container Terminal 2 development reused 112,000 m³ of the excavated material for backfilling on site and reused the surplus 20,000 m³ to fill and level an adjacent plot, thereby saving tons of CO₂ emissions that would have resulted from transport and disposal of excavated materials. Water resulting from dewatering activities was reused for dust control on site. Similarly, to ensure biodiversity preservation, surplus water from dewatering operations was treated before being discharged into the sea. This move was aimed at minimizing the impact of construction activities on marine life.

A significant part of GSAS calculations rely on project’s performance in terms of water and energy conservation. In this context, Container Terminal 2 achieved water conservation through on-site practices that involved the installation of water meters to measure and monitor domestic water use; covering of stockpiles to eliminate the need of water sprays for dust suppression; educating workers on water saving practices, and use of chemicals for concrete curing that otherwise requires water. To cut down its energy use, the site of Container Terminal 2 was equipped with electricity meters to keep a tab on energy use. Portacabins installed on site featured high-quality materials that provide ample insulation, thereby reducing the energy used for cooling needs. Similarly, energy-efficient HVAC and lighting fixtures on site were carefully chosen to improve the project’s overall energy performance during construction phase.

In the long run, sustainability features of Container Terminal 2 and its facilities will extend beyond design and construction phases. In the operational phase, the project will further enhance its environmental performance with the implementation of GSAS Operations Certification, including the use of fully sustainable LED High Light Masts and regenerated power from the STS cranes during operations.