Albany Port Leads with Voluntary Green Marine Certification

The Port of Albany has once again earned Green Marine certification, reinforcing its role as a leader in sustainable maritime operations. As the first port in New York State to join the voluntary environmental program, Albany continues to exceed expectations with measurable progress that outpaces regulatory requirements.

Green Marine is the leading third-party environmental certification for the maritime industry in North America, offering a rigorous benchmarking system that addresses biodiversity protection, pollution prevention, and community relations. Since joining the program in 2016, the Port of Albany has consistently advanced across all performance indicators—most recently achieving the highest possible levels in both Environmental Leadership and Community Impact.

“We see every day the impact that all industries have on our environment, especially the Hudson River,” said Richard Hendrick, CEO of the Port of Albany. “By coming together with our Port tenants, business neighbors, and other maritime-related businesses—and by making strategic adjustments—we make a difference.”

Green Marine: Setting the Standard for Port Sustainability

Established to help maritime organizations improve environmental performance beyond regulations, Green Marine assesses participants annually across a 1-to-5 scale. The indicators span issues such as:

• Greenhouse gas and air pollutant reduction
• Spill prevention and stormwater management
• Waste reduction and recycling
• Underwater noise, invasive species, and aquatic ecosystems
• Environmental leadership and community engagement

Participants—including ports, terminals, shipyards, and shipowners—must demonstrate continual improvement, supported by third-party verification. The program currently includes over 170 organizations and has become a widely adopted benchmark for ESG reporting in the maritime sector.

“All members of Green Marine share the same objective: to improve their organization’s environmental performance through measurable action and transparent reporting,” said Allison Ryan, Program Manager at Green Marine. “This strengthens sustainability across the entire maritime value chain.”

Albany’s Infrastructure Investments

The Port of Albany’s certification is rooted in a series of operational upgrades and environmental policy shifts. These include:

• Electric vehicle charging stations to support fleet and commuter decarbonization
• LED lighting retrofits in all terminal sheds and along roadways
• Stormwater capture basins (CDS units) to remove floating debris before it enters the Hudson River
• Anti-idling and fueling policy reforms to reduce emissions from port operations
• A Marine Operations Committee that coordinates environmental goal setting and tenant collaboration

This systems-based approach demonstrates how mid-sized ports can implement scalable sustainability strategies without compromising operational performance.

The Port of Albany is not only a clean port—it’s also a major economic engine. The facility generates an estimated $428 million in annual economic impact, supports 1,400 local jobs, and is responsible for 4,500 jobs statewide. Its strategic location along the Hudson River makes it a key node for bulk cargo, renewable energy components, and heavy lift logistics.