Advancing Environmental Excellence
Although marine transportation is the most environmentally friendly transportation method compared to air transportation, trucking and railing, it does not mean that there isn’t room for further development. There are many programs aiming to protect the oceans, as well as reduce the environmental impact of cargo vessels. “Green Marine is a voluntary environmental certification program for the North American marine industry.”, and it addresses nine key environmental issues including aquatic species, cargo residues, garbage management, greenhouse gas emissions, oily water etc.
The participant of this program are shipowners, ports, seaway corporations, terminals and shipyards. These participant have to demonstrate year by year improvement in order to be able to maintain their Green Marine Certification. Participants complete annual self evaluation, and the all of the results are made public to make the process transparent. The self evaluations are verified by an accredited external verifier before being publicized. According to 2014 numbers, 82 participants are involved in the program, and the numbers are likely to increase.
This certification might not be as valuable today, but I believe it may become a certification that every company must have in the near future to be able to do business within the industry. Companies who are acting quick can achieve a significant competitive advantage in the market, since sustainability is becoming more and more important especially within the supply chain.
References:
http://www.green-marine.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Performance_Report_2013_web.pdf