ISSA Encourages Ship Suppliers to Go Green

The International Shipsuppliers & Services Association (ISSA) is encouraging its members to implement green policies and achieve internationally-recognized environmental standards under its flagship Green ISSA initiative.

“We believe that the modern ship supply industry must have environmental considerations at the heart of its business practices, and we encouraged to see that many of our members are already working toward achieving international environmental standards,” said ISSA President Jens Olsen.

ISSA, which has almost 2,000 members worldwide, is strongly encouraging its members to achieve the International Organization for Standardisation’s ISO 140000 certification. Standards for environmental management systems are set out in ISO14001:2004, while ISO14004:2004 gives general guidelines for companies initiating environmental policies.

In addition to complying with international regulations, there are numerous ways in which ship suppliers can ensure that their business takes proper consideration of environmental concerns including:
•    Minimizing waste.
•    Introducing biodegradable packaging.
•    Ensuring fridges and freezers are operating efficiently and economically.
•    Avoiding unnecessary delivery journeys to vessels.
•    Using vehicles with low emissions or which run on eco-fuels.

“In addition to helping the environment, some of these measures can save companies money themselves – particularly by consolidating deliveries to ports, which now charge fees of up to $100 per visit,” Olsen pointed out.
Environmental measures are on the agenda for discussion during the forthcoming ISSA Annual Convention meeting in Cadiz, Spain, from May 25-26.