Two Major Firms Join Sustainable Shipping Alliance

Major paint & coatings company AkzoNobe & Taiwan's U-Ming Marine Transport Corp's 44 ships join the Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI).

The SSI is facilitated by global sustainability non-profit Forum for the Future in conjunction with NGO World Wildlife Fund. The cross-industry group represents ship owners and charterers, shipbuilders, engineers and service providers, banking, insurance, and classification societies. The newest members, AkzoNobel and U-Ming, join more than 18 global companies already involved, including key industry players such as Maersk Line, Lloyd’s Register, Cargill, DNV, Unilever and Wärtsilä. It is the first time the shipping industry has joined forces on such a cooperative global scale to tackle big sustainability issues.

The ultimate goal is to show that collaborative action is possible, and to mobilise support across the industry, demonstrating that shipping can contribute to – and thrive in –  a sustainable future.

Andre Veneman, AkzoNobel corporate sustainability director said: “AkzoNobel works together with stakeholders to develop improved products and business concepts. Our membership of the Sustainable Shipping Initiative supports our vision of working in partnership with other supply chain experts to apply sustainability thinking through the full value chain. Together we can make a real difference to our industry for the future.”

C. K. Ong, President of U-Ming said: “Forum for the Future has been a pioneering supporter of the shipping industry in setting up the Sustainable Shipping Initiative. As one of the world’s major shipping lines we felt it was critical to take part in sharing ideas and knowledge for the future and to encourage widespread adoption of new thinking to solve mutual problems.”

Overseen by Forum for the Future, four initial SSI workstreams run by member companies are currently underway looking at tackling issues including energy technologies, financing sustainable ship building, reviewing ship materials and sustainability ratings and standards. The workstreams will run over the next twelve months and the results will be announced at an international press conference in September 2013.