Certificate #200 approaching

Green Award is proud to announce that the 200th Green Award certificate will be issued in the next few weeks.

Since the start of Green Award in 1994 many certificates have been issued, over 200 indeed, but this is the first time that Green Award will have 200 active ships certified. This is a milestone for Green Award and encourages us to go on with our efforts to contribute to quality shipping.

It is our intention to hand over the 200 th certificate during a ceremony. We are unable at this time to reveal the name of the ship that will be involved in the ceremony. There is some competition because we have a lot of ships in the certification process. We also do not know if there will be withdrawals in the next few weeks.

Hans de Goeij resigned from Green Award

Hans de Goeij, Advisor to the Board, left Green Award in January 2006 to take up other activities.

Hans had been with the Green Award Foundation since 1998. He started on a freelance basis and after being Managing Director for 7 years, he handed the helm over to Jan Fransen in April 2005. He remained connected to Green Award as Advisor to the Board until January 2006.

Hans’ concern for financial independency meant that he put Green Award on its ‘own financial feet’, without being dependent on subsidies. Hans’ work in maintaining and developing Green Award is deeply appreciated. We would like to take this opportunity to wish Hans and his family all the very best.

Upgrade of the Green Award Requirements approved

The Green Award Committee has adopted the Board of Experts' proposals, which will result in a new edition of the "Seacure for Operations" and revised Appendices for Oil Tankers and Bulk Carriers.

Apart from "fine tuning" some elements, the most important changes to the existing Ranking Requirements in the Appendices are applicable to elements concerning for example: condition assessment, fuel oil quality testing, emergency response services, antifouling, waste management, air emissions and ballast water management plans.

The new Requirements will be implemented as soon as the necessary provisions have been made. All current certificate holders will be granted a transitional period in order to be able to meet the new standards.

Green Award surveys not only during port stay

It is well known, that ships have to cope with a lot of inspections/surveys. The vast majority takes place during port stay, which increases the workload for the crew on board.

Green Award would like to emphasize that it is also possible to have Green Award surveys at accessible anchorages, lightering areas or on short coastal voyages. Even wet-dock or dry-dock periods are considered an option for attendance. Of course this is determined on a case by case basis.

Companies are therefore encouraged to frequently update the Survey Department (survey@greenaward.org) with the vessel’s itineraries in order to plan attendance at the most convenient opportunity.

Dutch Pilots' Incentives

Green Award regrets to announce the Dutch Pilots have decided to stop granting the Green Award ships a financial incentive.

From the start of Green Award, The Dutch Pilot's Organisation has been a firm supporter of Green Award. Green Award is grateful to the pilots for their trust in the development of Green Award and its participants by granting a financial incentive based on calls made at Rotterdam during the past eleven years.

INTERTANKO Event in Singapore

Green Award was present during the INTERTANKO event in Singapore and had lots of opportunities to meet with several Green Award certificate holders. We were also able to interest potential Green Award certificate holders.

Green Award also attended with great interest the presentations regarding the Poseidon Challenge. This is part of the revised strategic plan for INTERTANKO which in short says that INTERTANKO members want to lead the continuous improvement of the tanker industry’s performance in striving to achieve the goals of – Zero fatalities – Zero pollution – Zero detentions. The Green Award Foundation welcomes this initiative which is in line with the mission of the Foundation.

www.prosea.info

Pro Sea Course

The ProSea Foundation stimulates, develops and organises Marine Environmental Courses for Marine Professionals.

Recently, a course was held on the island Terschelling, The Netherlands. Green Award was happy to contribute to this course by delivering a presentation on Green Award and what Green Award stands for. It was good to experience that the attending Marine Professionals are fully aware of the consequences of environmentally friendly operation of ship and crew.

Green Award is a firm supporter of this course and has incorporated it into the ranking criteria for the Green Award certification:

7300.7 Is the company providing training/courses for ship's personnel and superintendents with respect to "Marine Environmental Awareness" (training programs to be recognised/supported by the administration)?

Karin Struijk appointed Deputy Managing Director

After nearly four years as Office Manager/Quality Manager, Karin Struijk has been appointed Deputy Managing Director of the Green Award Foundation. She is the Deputy to Jan Fransen, who holds the position of Managing Director.

After her secondary school education, Karin studied Marketing and Business Administration in Rotterdam and completed several quality management and audit programmes. Previously she spent thirteen years with a ship manager in inland shipping.

Karin looks forward to continuing her contribution to the further growth and continuous improvement of the Green Award Foundation and its impact on the shipping industry.

Changes in fleet

The complete list of certified vessels can be found here.