SAFETY4SEA announced the winners of the 2023 GREEN4SEA Virtual Awards on April 19th, recognizing industry’s outstanding practices for Sustainability, Clean Shipping, Initiative, Technology, Tanker Operator, Dry Bulk Operator, Personality and Leadership. The process that was employed is a combination of open nomination and vote from audience and the industry panel of experts.

 

GREEN4SEA Sustainability Award

Winner
ERMA FIRST
For adopting an ESG strategy, focusing on a wide-ranging corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy. Among many initiatives, ERMA FIRST has unveiled a mural in central Athens to promote maritime sustainability and raise awareness of environmental issues within the local community.

Mrs. Eleni Polychronopoulou, President, ERMA FIRST:

I would like to thank you for voting ERMA FIRST to receive the 2023 GREEN4SEA Award. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at ERMA FIRST. From the solutions we develop to how conduct business and interact with our partners, customers and local communities worldwide.Our company has been built on instantiation to preserve and protect the marine ecosystem. Moving forward, sustainability will continue to be the driving force behind ERMA FIRST.

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GREEN4SEA Clean Shipping Award

Winner
Maritime Battery Forum
For promoting the use of marine batteries, serving as a platform to exchange knowledge based on experience from the usage of batteries. It provides updates on the developments in technology and the technical and economic aspects of battery technology on ships and offshore installations.

Mr. Syb ten Cate Hoedemaker, Managing Director, Maritime Battery Forum:

We are very excited to win the GREEN4SEA Clean Shipping Award. With currently around 87 members and observers from 15 different countries, coming from Europe, North America, South America and Asia, we are working to accelerate the adoption of safe Maritime Battery solutions. Battery is only a part of the solutions in the energy transition. We are making the right decisions regarding sustainability and we find new ways to be more sustainable.

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GREEN4SEA Initiative Award

Winner
Clean Energy Marine Hubs (CEM-Hubs)
For providing a public-private platform with the aim to de-risk investments in future clean fuels. This is a joint initiative by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) and the Clean Energy Maritime Taskforce.

Mr. Guy Platten, Secretary General, International Chamber of Shipping:

Thank you everyone who vote Clean Energy Marine Hubs. In Clean Energy Marine Hubs, we are working with five governments to create a platform that breaks down the silos between us. With production of new fuels close to the ports, 50% of the new zero-emission fuels are expected to be transported by ship. Collaboration is the only way we can afford the path of decarbonization. Not just for shipping, but for the whole world.

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GREEN4SEA Technology Award

Winner
GTT (Gaztransport et Technigaz)
For its Sloshing Virtual Sensor which advances the prediction of sloshing activity at sea in favor of efficient voyage management. The tool estimates two main characteristics, the sloshing frequency and the sloshing pressure, which can be derived to define a sloshing intensity.

Mr. Anouar Kiassi, Vice-President Digital, GTT:

We are very proud of receiving the technology award. The maritime industry is very conservative and its adoption for technology is very slow. However, what we have learned from this technology is that takes human factors into consideration. Through our digital innovations, we contribute as a group but also as individuals to reduce gas emissions. We also reduce the risk of releasing gas in atmosphere.

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GREEN4SEA Tanker Operator Award

Winner
Synergy Group
For its overall contribution to sustainable shipping and maritime decarbonization. Among many initiatives, the company is one of the signatories to the Call to Action for Shipping Decarbonization and has received ISO 50001:2018, putting energy efficiency as key priority.

Mr. Tommy Thomassen, COO (Tankers), Synergy:

This is a tribute to our pioneering seafarers and shore-based teams who are constantly searching the boundaries for a more sustainable shipping and a safety-first immediate environment for all ships. We see technology and innovation as critical elements in achieving our goals and support our core values, as well as providing best-in-class services to ship owners.

Capt. Tomar, Master, Synergy:

I have the honor to accept it on behalf of officers, crew of not just the Synergy-managed tanker fleet of more than 250 vessels, but indeed on behalf of all my 24,000 colleagues at Synergy. We’re working tirelessly towards the goal of worldwide and complete decarbonization so that the maritime industry can play the fullest possible part in helping the planet that we all depend on and share.

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GREEN4SEA Dry Bulk Operator Award

Winner
M/MARITIME
For offering top quality sea transportation services, maintaining at the same time a pro-active approach in meeting the strict environmental requirements.

Mr. Dimitris Orfanos, HSQE Manager, M/MARITIME:

We aspire to operate at the highest environmental and energy standards, adopting best practices from across all sectors of shipping and investing accordingly. Our founder’s core values of excellence, accuracy, quality and being a step ahead in everything we do, are also reflected in our environmental friendly, fuel efficient and well maintained fleet with constant efforts for complete regulatory compliance and minimization of emissions.

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GREEN4SEA Personality Award

Winner
Mr. Gavin Allwright, Secretary General, International Windship Association (IWSA)
For creating momentum in the promotion of wind propulsion in commercial shipping and taking significant action to include this alternative source of power into decarbonization discussions.

Mr. Gavin Allwright, Secretary General, International Windship Association (IWSA):

Over the last 20 years, it has been quite a journey for me learning ways to reintroduce and reinvigorate this zero-emissions, cost free energy source [wind], back in to shipping. We’ve used it for millennia, but finding ways to reintroduce that and certainly to re-wind the industry, not rewind it back to a bygone age. This award really underscores the development in the sector.

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GREEN4SEA Leadership Award

Winner
Mr. Christopher J. Wiernicki, Chairman, President and CEO, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
For his overall contribution to a greener and more sustainable shipping. Mr. Wiernicki plays a decisive role in delivering net zero for shipping by 2050, supporting that green shipping corridors and clean energy marine hubs offer great opportunities.

Mr. Konstantinos Stampedakis, Managing Director, ERMA FIRST:

Sustainability is the key to a better future. Today, we’re embarking on this journey with ambitious goals to achieve what is necessary for the sake of the maritime industry and our planet. The beginning is always the hardest, as we say in Greece. As with every beginning, we need pioneers, those who lead by example. Today I have the great honor to give the leadership award to such a leader, Mr. Christopher J. Wiernicki.

Mr. Christopher J. Wiernicki, Chairman, President and CEO,American Bureau of Shipping (ABS):

A leader needs to think about today and tomorrow, not about yesterday. It is essential to look forward and maintain a positive outlook. This is particularly true when you consider shipping’s decarbonization challenge. The sheer gradient of the curve ahead of us is daunting but together we will get there. At the same time, leadership means making a friend of uncertainty and being comfortable with embracing change and the unknown.

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About GREEN4SEA Awards
GREEN4SEA Awards are part of the GREEN4SEA Forum within the scope of fostering Excellence & Sustainable Shipping. The process to be employed is a combination of open nomination and vote. The award categories are:

GREEN4SEA Sustainability Award
To be awarded to an organization that promoted an ESG agenda and contributed towards sustainable shipping.

GREEN4SEA Clean Shipping Award
To be awarded to an organization that contributed towards cleaner shipping.

GREEN4SEA Initiative Award
To be awarded to an organization or association that sparked, realised, or significantly contributed with a specific initiative towards greener shipping.

GREEN4SEA Technology Award
To be awarded to an organization that provided a significant technological achievement or breakthrough or significant contribution in any aspect of environmental maritime activity.

GREEN4SEA Tanker Operator Award
To be awarded to a ship operator of oil or chemical tankers or gas carriers that demonstrated environmental excellence and performance above average in any aspect of maritime activity.

GREEN4SEA Dry Bulk Operator Award
To be awarded to a ship operator of bulk carriers or general dry cargo vessels that demonstrated environmental excellence and performance above average in any aspect of maritime activity.

GREEN4SEA Personality Award
To be awarded to an individual that provided industry influence and contributed towards greener and sustainable shipping.

GREEN4SEA Leadership Award
To be awarded to an individual that provided industry leadership and contributed towards greener shipping throughout his/her career.

Notification procedure is initiated few months ahead of the event with an open invitation to the industry stakeholders to propose nominations online via relevant form at dedicated awards page. Shortlisted nominees are announced within a week after nomination submission is concluded and open vote to declare the winner of each category is available for a period of three months through relevant application at dedicated awards page. Winners are announced at the award ceremony, during the GREEN4SEA Forum.