Marine Coastal and Port Monitoring

Human activity can have harmful effects on coastal areas. If not properly managed, impacts from marine-based activity – as well as activity in nearby urbanized, industrialized or intensively farmed areas – can lead to biodiversity loss and habitat deterioration.

SGS helps you to meet your objectives of monitoring and evaluating human impacts by developing programs in coastal and offshore environments, which are carried out by our experts in the field and in accredited laboratories. Our cutting-edge approaches include the use of eDNA to detect organisms as well as the ISO-accredited method we developed to quantify microplastics in seawater.

We provide:

Aquaculture zone monitoring
Bathing water quality monitoring
Continuous monitoring, for example, of wastewater treatment plant outfalls
Consultancy and impact assessments
Dredging monitoring
Port and coastal surveys

These services may include:

Air quality assessments
Biodiversity monitoring – sampling and analysis using eDNA or traditional taxonomy and habitat mapping
Continuous monitoring of physicochemical parameters – using the latest measurement and reporting instrumentation
Ecotoxicological monitoring – using applicable standards
Greenhouse gas inventory development – analysis of emissions and target setting for reductions
Marine plastic litter and microplastic quantification – sampling and analysis and biodegradation studies according to applicable methods, including the ISO-accredited method developed by SGS
Recreational water testing – sampling and analysis, including Blue Flag testing, according to local regulations
Underwater noise monitoring
Water quality and sediment monitoring – sampling and analysis using standard methods

Your first choice for coastal and port monitoring services

With over 145 years’ experience working with the maritime industry, and teams in over 550 ports around the globe, we are the first choice for ships, ports and coastal managers looking to comply with regulations, minimize global environmental problems and meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. We offer efficient, cost-effective solutions to help you protect your business, your stakeholders and the environment.