The Green Award’s presence in Asia is expanding as the Port of Nagoya officially announced that is becoming a Green Award incentive provider from 1 February 2017.
On 21 November 2016, Green Award, a certification scheme for ships that go above and beyond statutory regulations in terms of safety, quality and environmental care, welcomed a new supporter in Japan – the Port of Nagoya. At a welcome ceremony held in Nagoya, Green Award’s executive director Jan Fransen presented the Green Award plaque to Mr Takayuki Kondo, Executive Vice President of Nagoya Port Authority.
Being the largest port in Japan in terms of total cargo throughput and a major point of entry to Japan, Port of Nagoya takes matters of safety, environmental awareness and social responsibility to heart. The port chose to support Green Award certified ships in order to contribute to a joint maritime Corporate Social Responsibility which results in a considerable risk reduction in ship operations and ultimately in protecting the environment. Nagoya deploys Green Award as a tool to improve the standards in shipping and to identify and reward ships which implement the best practices and maintain high quality standards.
All types of Green Award certified ships are entitled to a 10% discount on the port dues effective 1st of February 2017.
‘Environmental protection and safe operations, as a responsibility within the maritime industry, can be addressed through a joint approach by ports, maritime related businesses and ship owners and managers. This will motivate for early and proper implementation of International conventions and beyond by implementing best practices in this industry. Japan, as one of the major maritime players, has a strategically important role in motivating others in Asia to follow the example as set by the Port of Nagoya today and Kitakyushu earlier. Certainly we expect more Japanese interest to set course,’
said Jan Fransen, executive director of Green Award.
‘Green Award unites maritime organizations striving for excellence and offers a solution now. We are extremely happy to see that there is a growing recognition for Green Award as the solution to improve standards in shipping, and that the Port of Nagoya has considered the scheme to be a valuable and reliable tool. Nagoya’s participation is a great step to further expand the scheme in Asia and make a joint maritime Corporate Social Responsibility happen.’
Source & Image credit: Green Award
