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222 223 GREEN MARINE environmental groups, research centers, and governments. That’s another interesting aspect of the program. “On the ports side, we rate terminal operators, inde- pendently of the ports. So for a port authority, the Green Marine program can become a government’s tool by encour- aging their tenants to start implementing sustainability actions, in a voluntary way, individually, so they don’t have to manage everything, themselves. “That’s a couple of good reasons to join a program like this one. And again, the difference from some other programs is its very high level of credibility and transparency. BVM: What is the size of the staff and what are their main priorities? Bolduc: “We are a very small, efficient team of five people.We have one Director, three program managers who support our participants with the whole process of certification– implementing the program but also developing it.We also have a communications manager, work- ing more on the marketing aspect of the program. “Since it was launched in 2007, we’ve added several environmental issues that we address, for example: waste management and, more recently, water noise. These were things that were not there at the beginning. But developing these new performance indicators where companies are rated on their performance takes time. And the way we do it is very inclusive.We meet with working groups, where any participant in the program can get involved if they wish, and we involve the other stakeholders, as well. BVM: Is there anything new on your agenda that might alter the way Green Marine functions? Bolduc: “Yes, we are in the process of working on our strategic plan with the Board of Directors. And one of the most important questions that we are asking ourselves, right now, concerns the international possibilities. This program is very successful; a lot of compa- nies and ports put a very high value on this