The Role of the Port of San Pedro in Promoting Port Sustainability: An Institutional Perspective

Increasingly, ports are shifting towards environmental protection to acquire or maintain their competitive advantages. While they contribute to global economic development, port activities can have negative effects on coastal areas and marine biodiversity. The Port of San Pedro is undertaking several actions in favor of sustainable development, which has enabled it to obtain multiple certifications and ISO standards. This article presents the role it has played in acquiring these certifications. Institutional theory has been mobilized to demonstrate how the Port of San Pedro engages stakeholders in the port area towards port sustainability. Qualitative methodology was used to conduct interviews with the Director of Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment Services at this port. The results highlight the coercive policy deployed by the Port to engage port stakeholders in achieving sustainable development goals and make the Port of San Pedro a sustainable port.