The shipping sector is a regulated industry, yet many seagoing and inland ships still fall short of expected regulations by IMO, EU, and national-, regional-, local-governments.
The frustration of witnessing avoidable safety and environmental incidents spurred the establishment of the Green Award in 1994. The goal was not to be another watchdog or regulatory body that enforces compliance with set regulations, but to work side by side, shoulder to shoulder with shipping companies, understanding their struggles and motivating them to not only meet regulations but strive to go beyond standards through incentivization. Ships receive the Green Award certification, a quality mark for high-performing vessels, after satisfying our stringent audits, surveys and inspections.
Driven by the mission to reward and promote ships that exceed industry standards for safer and cleaner waterborne transport, and the vision for a sustainable future, currently nearly 50 companies operating seagoing ships and over 1350 European inland ships are Green Award certified, and over 200 incentive providers worldwide share our mission rewarding these certified ships. However, this is just a drop in the ocean.
Looking to the horizon, we are forging new partnerships to motivate more shipping companies to see the benefits of being safe and clean. The fear of losing profit and the responsibility of making sustainable business the norm sometimes get in the way of shipping companies, but every day, our certified shipping companies are proving that it is possible to be people and planet-oriented and still be profitable.
Slowly but surely, more and more shipping companies in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Middle East are gradually moving in this direction. Some are motivated by fear of regulation, some by demand from investment partners, and some by concern for losing their reputation before the public and stakeholders. Whatever the motivation, it’s a win for humanity and our environment when shipping companies go above and beyond in ensuring safe and clean waterborne transportation.
Using the UN SDG and Environmental, social and governance (ESG) as a benchmark, we are recognising the effort of Green Award certificate holders in our network. We ensure audits, surveys, and inspections are available and cost effective for membership worldwide and deepen partnership with incentive providers to achieve our goals, upholding our values – integrity, respect, inspiration, professionalism and sustainable leadership as anchor.