SPEECH on the occasion of 10 year Green Award

Mr. L. Burgel LLM Bsc
Senior Policy Advisor
Head of Netherlands Delegation IMO/MEPC

Your excellency, mr. Secretary General, mr. chairman, dear colleagues, distinguished guests,

Just a few words from the Netherlands delegation on this happy occasion. Many things coincide this week. Hopefully this committee will adopt the amended annexes I and II this week, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Green Award foundation and the Netherlands has the honour of having the presidency of the EU, although it will probably the last time for long.

But let me just say a few words about Green Award. It is true that the Netherlands' Ministry of Transport and the Port of Rotterdam were the founders of Green Award. But only to get the idea off the ground and by giving some financial support. Where the Foundation stands now is entirely the work of those serving in it, which includes of course it's advisory board and experts. I would also like to stress that the foundation is wholly independent.

Only too often the shipping industry is confronted with negative publicity, only too often that negative image is unjustified. And tankers suffer more than average. Newspapers usually blame tankers for all kinds of pollution and all kinds of incidents. A typical newspaper article about tankers may very well be illustrated by a photograph of a containership, probably with a text underneath saying that this "tanker" is among those threatening the coastlines of the world.

The tankers owners that have chosen to qualify for Green Award tell us a completely different story and there are many more ship operators that strongly believe in the highest standards.

All of us sitting here know this. But that is not enough. Others still have a negative perception of shipping, politicians may be tempted to grandstanding as the public opinion is important to them.
This Organization has always been and still is very active to present the proper facts and figures about shipping and to refute the negative image. The shipping industry still finds itself too often on the defensive. Shipowners should be aware of this - and by making the right choices - get rid of this negative image. Complaining about the injustice of negative publicity will not do. Setting positive examples, striving for high standards and a campaigning strategy for an improved image may help us all.

I believe Green Award sets such an example, indeed still mainly for tankers, but for more shiptypes in the future. Congratulations and keep up the good work!

Thank you.

London, 11-10-2004