Template revised April 12, 2018.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
11a
BRIEFING ITEM
Date of Meeting
September 22, 2026
DATE: August 12, 2026
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Stephanie Jones Stebbins, Managing Director Maritime
Sarah Ogier, Director, Maritime Environment & Sustainability
Jon Sloan, Sr.Manager, Environmental Programs
Mike DeSota, Sr. Env. Program Manager, Maritime Environment & Sustainability
SUBJECT: Green Marine International Environmental Certification Program
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Green Marine International is a voluntary environmental certification program developed
specifically for the maritime industry. The program provides ports, ship owners, terminals,
shipyards, and other maritime organizations with a structured and transparent framework for
measuring environmental performance, implementing best practices, and demonstrating
continual improvement beyond regulatory compliance. The Port of Seattle has participated in
Green Marine since 2013 and was the first U.S. West Coast port to achieve Green Marine
certification. Through annual evaluations and periodic independent verification, the program
provides an objective framework to benchmark environmental performance and identify
opportunities for continued improvement. This briefing will provide the Commission with an
overview of the Green Marine program, the Port’s participation and performance over time, and
opportunities for continued environmental improvement. No Commission authorization or
funding action is requested.
GREEN MARINE PROGRAM AND PORT PARTICIPATION
Green Marine provides a transparent framework for measuring maritime environmental
performance beyond regulatory compliance. The Port has consistently demonstrated strong
performance across applicable environmental performance indicators addressing greenhouse
gas and air emissions, spill prevention, stormwater management, aquatic ecosystems, waste
management, community relations, environmental leadership, and underwater noise.
Port Environmental Performance
The Port’s Green Marine performance is one of the highest scores among all ports participating
in the program and it reflects the Port’s continued investment in shore power and maritime
electrification, habitat restoration, stormwater management, spill prevention, community
engagement, and efforts to better understand and reduce underwater noise. Green Marine
participation supports the Port’s broader environmental and sustainability objectives and aligns
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 11a Page 2 of 3
Meeting Date: September 22, 2026
Template revised September 22, 2016.
with the Century Agenda goal of positioning the Port of Seattle as one of the greenest and most
energy-efficient ports in North America. Tables 1 and 2 illustrate the Port’s Green Marine
Performance from 2013 to 2025. Achieving Level 5 - the program’s highest rating requires
participants to demonstrate environmental excellence and leadership through rigorous,
measurable criteria that go beyond regulatory compliance.
Table 1. Port of Seattle – Green Marine Performance (2025)
Table 2. Port of Seattle- Green Marine Performance (2013-2025)
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 11a Page 3 of 3
Meeting Date: September 22, 2026
Template revised September 22, 2016.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
Eleanor Kirtley, Ph.D., of Green Marine International will provide an overview of the program,
with Port staff available to discuss the Port’s performance, programs, and ongoing environmental
initiatives. Results are publicly reported annually and independently verified every two years,
providing Commissioners, customers, community members, and other stakeholders with an
external measure of the Port’s environmental performance.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS BRIEFING
(1) Presentation slides
