SAFETY4SEA is pleased to announce that Blue Planet Shipping Ltd has received the 2019 GREEN4SEA Dry Bulk Operator Award, sponsored by V.Ships, at a prestigious award ceremony which successfully concluded on March, 12th at Yacht Club of Greece in Athens, the evening ahead of the 2019 GREEN4SEA Conference.
Blue Planet Shipping Ltd received the award for its commitment to environmental protection, putting sustainability policies into action. The company manages the world’s first bulk carrier, MV Afros, equipped with a Flettner Rotor System for Wind Assisted Propulsion based on the Magnus Effect. Other short-listed nominees for this category were: ESL Shipping, Mitsui O.S.K Lines (MOL), Orion Bulkers GMBH & CO KG and Star Bulk Carriers Corporation.
Presenting the award Mr. Dimitris Mitrou, Business Development Director – South Europe, V.Ships said “Blue Planet has achieved to grow remarkably, always however, maintaining a low profile and demonstrating exceptional professionalism through its successful management and qualified personnel. Blue Plant has consistently invested in ‘green’ initiatives and undoubtedly demonstrates qualitative, sustainable development. In this regard, the cooperation with Anemoi Marine for the installation of the Flettner Rotors system onboard is a real proof that environmental awareness can be correlated to economic sense.”
Accepting the award on behalf of Blue Planet Shipping Ltd, Mrs. Marianthe Patrona, Managing Director, stated “One of our key goals is to ensure that our Company culture and operations towards safety, quality and the environment is supported throughout our organization. Both on board our vessels and through our shore based personnel we are constantly creating awareness and ensuring that we are always adhering to best practices, whether it is the provision of our services or the reduction of our carbon footprint, zero plastic waste, re-cycling and so on.”
Blue Planet Shipping is committed to protecting the environment and strongly believes that the future lies in renewable energy. The company manages MV Afros which is the world’s first bulk carrier equipped with a Flettner Rotor System for Wind Assisted Propulsion based on the Magnus Effect. The wind powered Flettner Rotor System has been developed by Anemoi in the UK. Blue Planet Shipping is currently evaluating projects of installing the Flettner Rotor System onboard other vessels of its fleet as well. The Company gradually installs on managed fleet a Ship Energy Efficiency System comprised of Variable Frequency Drives on primary pumps and fans, reducing significantly the onboard powering needs. ‘’Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) shall not be restricted on the areas that vessels operate, but should be the culture for all Companies.’’ Mrs Marianthe Patrona has stated. Among many CSR initiatives, the company has managed to reduce paper consumption at the office to the bare as part of the ‘Reduce Plastic Waste’ Campaign. Blue Planet is also a founding member of the Thalassa Foundation, a charity engaged in the preservation of the fragile marine environment and endangered marine species of the Sporades Islands.
Blue Planet Shipping Ltd attracted the most votes by the end of the voting period which held online during a two-month period. GREEN4SEA Awards are held annually within the scope of awarding industry’s outstanding practices for green shipping excellence, technology, initiative, clean shipping practices, green ports and personalities that are leading the path toward a more sustainable future. Other winners of the 2019 GREEN4SEA Awards are: Navigator Gas LLC for the Tanker Operator Award, MAN Energy Solutions for the Technology Award, International Windship Association (IWSA) for the Initiative Award, Clean Shipping Alliance 2020 (CSA 2020) for the Clean Shipping Award, Port of Valencia for the Port Award, Mr. Panos Zachariadis, Atlantic Bulk Carriers for the Personality Award and Mr. George Tsavliris, CYMEPA for the Leadership Award.
Find photos from the awards ceremony at Flickr and explore more about the nomination & voting procedure and the winners of 2019 GREEEN4SEA Awards at https://events.safety4sea.com/2019-green4sea-awards/
