Tag: Environment

What is sustainable development – and why is it important to Greencarrier?

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Categories: Sustainability. Tags: , , , , , .

But a sustainable world is also a world where the society is strong and fair and enables everyone to live a full life with equal opportunities.

Urgent changes to stop global warming

Just recently the world’s leading climate scientists released a report about the global warming goals, the IPCC report “Global warming of 1.5 °C”. According to the Paris Declaration from 2015, global warming (compared to pre-industrial levels) should be kept below 2 degrees and we should strive to keep it at 1,5 degrees. The new IPCC report shows that this difference of a half degree beyond 1,5 °C would significantly worsen the risk of drought, floods and poverty for hundreds of millions of people. Their conclusion is that urgent and unprecedented changes are needed.

The 2030 Agenda – Global Goals for Sustainable Development

So this is the harsh reality, but luckily it’s not all bad news! The report also shows that the reversal of global warming is possible. Things are actually moving in a positive direction as well.

In 2015 for example, 193 world leaders in the United Nations agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these goals are reached, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030. Nations, companies and individuals all need to get involved in these goals to enable the change.

 

Source: The Global Goals

Being a fair and honest business partner, employer and member of the society

Greencarrier has grown and developed successfully as a company since our start in 2000. Every day we strive to deliver innovative solutions and personal service that makes our customers happy – so that we can continue to be successful.  But success for us is not just about economic needs, it’s about considering the wider impact of our operations and being a fair and honest business partner, employer and member of the society.


The Greencarrier Spirit Model

We have a long term ambition that includes taking responsibility for the environment, the society and the people in it. At Greencarrier we call this approach to sustainable development “The Greencarrier Spirit” and we base our work on the UN’s Global Compact.

Greencarrier’s actions towards the Global Goals for Sustainable Development

As part of our ambitions within sustainability, we have reviewed all 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development and their 169 Targets. We have evaluated where we can make most impact and defined five prioritized goals based on our four focus areas in the Greencarrier Spirit Model: environment, employees, society and business.

Here’s what these goals mean to us and what we do to contribute to them.


Goal 7 Affordable and clean energy

We develop our transportation products towards an increased use of clean energy, as well as increase the use of clean energy in our offices and premises. The latter is part of our Green Office  initiative.

Together with our partner Solvatten we provide clean, heated water powered by clean energy directly in the homes of families where clean water is not always available, empowering especially women.

Goal 8 Decent work and economic growth

Our ambition is to grow as a company, but not at the cost of the environment, society or people. We have a long term per­spective to how we run our company, this to enable sustainable economic growth. We have the ambition to be the most attractive employer in the industry and therefore we work actively with our culture and values – as well as with employee development programs.

Together with our partner Universeum we work in a school project called Future Transports, sharing our knowledge about logistics and contributing to the education of young people.

Goal 10 Reduced inequalities

We promote an inclusive work place where people are treated equally.  We believe in equality, fairness and the empowerment of everyo­ne irrespective of origin, religion, gender, age, etc. This is part of our culture and values.

Together with our partner MyDreamNow  some of our employees are mentors to students in schools where resources and role models are needed, this way contributing to a more equal society and the education of young people.

Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production

We strive to develop our products to become environ­mentally smarter. This is done by planning and advice to our customers, choosing the best available transport mode from an environmental perspective. We develop intermodal solutions, shortsea and train solutions as alternatives to less climate smart options.

We evaluate our suppliers and we report what we do to develop our work with sustainability.

Goal 13 Climate action

We strive to lower our relative emissions on delivered trans­ports by choosing the best available suppliers and plan our transports smarter. We work to promote green initiatives in our offices and premises, as mentioned, with the Green Office initiative. We also promote actions towards cleaner land and oceans by engaging in external networks such as Clean Shipping.

In Norway we have started the port bin project, using equipment that cleans the oceans from plastic and other waste in the five Norwegian ports where we have operations. This initiative is sponsored by our customers via our Green Contribution initiative.

The last generation that can fight climate changes

Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations said: “We are the first generation who can extinguish poverty, and the last that can fight climate changes.”

This is a great responsibility, but also possibility to ensure a better world for everyone in the future. Let’s join forces to contribute to sustainable development!

If you want to learn more about our view on sustainability, and what we actually do, please read our Sustainability Report or check out our web site and blog. And of course, you are more than welcome to contact me or one of my colleagues!

/Åsa Leander, Head of Sustainability and Brand Management

Environmental actions to minimise emissions of vessels

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Categories: Sustainability. Tags: , , , , .

Reduction of NOx, SOx and CO2 emissions of the vessels over the years

Since 2007, Evergreen has managed to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by almost 60%, sulphur oxide emissions by almost 50% and carbon dioxide emissions by almost 40% by reducing the vessels’ speed, output and other actions. The emissions were monitored and calculated (g/TEU*km) according to the related data from the ships’ consumption quantity reports.

Evergreen emissions with co2 reduction

The nitrogen oxide emissions are based on engine emission values, output and running hours of the main engines and generator engines. The sulphur oxides emissions are based on fuel consumption – including all fuel types and all onboard consumption such as diesel and heavy fuel for main propulsion engine, auxiliary engine and other functions – and the corresponding sulphur content of each fuel type. The carbon dioxide emissions are based on the fuel consumption.

Vessel design matters – high energy efficiency with the right equipment and engines

Evergreen has put the Energy Efficiency Design Index into practice since their L-type shipbuilding project. All of the 30 L-type ships are certified according to the index. The index is a technical measurement for new ships that aims at promoting the use of more energy efficient and less polluting equipment and engines. EEDI also requests that the CO2 emissions of newly designed container vessels with deadweight no less than 15.000 tons should be reduced by at least ten percent. Accordingly, Evergreen’s new B-type vessels are equipped with electronic-controlled fuel injection engines to comply with EEDI. Evergreen’s new coming G-type, 18.000 teu vessel will produce 7 % less CO2 than current engines. The new G-type vessels will be in service starting from year 2018.

Sticking to the plan for improving energy efficiency of ship operations in the long run

Evergreen also uses a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan. The purpose of the plan is to establish procedures to improve the energy efficiency of ship operations. They are committed to protecting the environment by tracking and analysing the energy consumption on their vessels. It is their policy that its vessels are always operating in the most efficient way possible and are consistent with safe and reliable service. The management plan lays the foundation to put processes in place to optimise operational processes. It is a resource guide for all personnel to increase energy efficiency in vessel systems and operational processes.

By using Evergreen’s services, shippers cut pollution and emissions in the transportation of their goods and reduce the carbon footprint in their supply chain. It is reflected in their corporate social responsibility, which helps enhance their ability to increase sales, customer value and create a win-win situation.

Educating staff and onboard crews in environmental issues and matters

Training and education are key to implement environmental thinking in the processes. All new employees at Evergreen are therefore required to take a training course in marine environment awareness. It includes learning about the environmental policy, global requirements and compliance such as SECA and EU port rules, VGP, oil transfer procedures, pollution prevention and safe bunkering, garbage handling and disposal, biofouling management, instructions to BMP, the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan and maintenance and operation record methods including ballast water treatment systems.

Before the crew gets onboard, it is required to join a pre-boarding training. Every month, an environmental training is arranged onboard, where all instructions are went through and the crew gets to carry out the procedures onboard.

What environmental actions do you think are the most important to carry out to preserve the marine life? Let me know in the comments! If you are interested in more specific information about emissions related to a certain route, please contact our local offices. In my next, and final article about the environment, I will talk about Evergreen and the future. In the meantime, why don’t you visit us in social media!

/Minna Ruisaho, Greencarrier Liner Agency

Eco-trucks – New Green Transport Solution in Finland

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Categories: Solutions, Sustainability. Tags: , , , , , , , .

Anyone unfamiliar with the issue might not immediately realise why the environment might be grateful for a 33 metre long truck weighing 90 tonnes and why it’s called an Eco-truck. However, Speed’s Eco-truck lives up to its Eco name.

As well known, we at Greencarrier wants to take responsibility for the environment. Protecting the environment is a central and important part of the daily operations. In combination with shipping and Evergreen Line, we want to find green, eco-friendly solutions for our customers, where the central issue is a way of working that is efficient, economic and respects the environment.

This solution is innovative in various ways and use the latest technology in the sector

In cooperation with the transport company Speed Oy and Versowood, Finland’s largest privately owned wood processing company, Greencarrier Liner Agency Finland has developed a partnership for a green transport solution with so called Eco trucks.

A trial of Eco trucks aimed at cutting carbon emissions in container transport was launched in November 2013 by the transport company Speed. This is a five-year project whose aim is to produce accurate information on fuel consumption and the potential for the vehicles to use biofuel. The results look promising. Emissions of large capacity combinations per tonne transported are clearly lower than other transports.

Cutting greenhouse gases by 40%

When Greencarrier want a transport of two 40’ containers from Versowood’s sawmill in Vierumäki to port of Helsinki, there are two options. Two trucks leave on the journey, between them consuming 80 l fuel per 100 km. If an Eco-truck is used it can take both 40’ containers at once and consume 48 l fuel per 100 km. Using an Eco-truck, containers can be transported with a 40% cut in greenhouse gases.

“We approached our partner company Speed as we were interested in the Eco-truck project, whose environmental impacts are immediate and concrete and will in the long term benefit everyone involved. If we gain a network of Eco-trucks in Finland, it will ensure the competitiveness of our customers and simultaneously clearly place a lower burden on the environment,” says Greencarrier Liner Agency Finland’s managing director Tuomas Timgren.

Evergreen Line was the first ocean shipping line to incorporate sustainable development and environmental technology in its operations. It has always invested in technology that guarantees energy efficiency and operations that protect the environment.

Container – the most sustainable mode of transport

At Versowood too the Eco-truck project is seen as an efficient means of transport for the future with a sustainable environmental impact. “A larger and larger amount of international transport is by container, where longer transport journeys are raising the importance of green issues. Container transport is the most sustainable mode of transport from an environmental perspective and if we gain a wide-ranging network of Eco-trucks in Finland, it will help us to stay competitive in the international market,” says Export Director Matti Iso-Kuusela from the Versowood group.

FACTS ABOUT ECO-TRUCKS
– Length 33 metres
– Max weight 90 tonnes
– Axle weight, turning circle and height do not differ from a normal truck
– Drive on precisely defined routes under a permit from the Finnish Transport Safety Agency
– Can transport two 40’ shipping containers at the same time, reducing fuel consumption and emissions by an impressive 40 percent

Read more on our website or contact me if you want to know more about this solution.

/Minna Ruisaho, Greencarrier Liner Agency

Greencarrier Clean-Up – Contributing to a greener planet

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Categories: In focus, Sustainability. Tags: , , , , , , .

Did you know that 70% of marine litter comes from inland? Marine pollution is actually one of the most serious threats to our oceans. Because we at Greencarrier hold nature close to our hearts, and want our planet to be green and flourishing, we decided to join the clean-up movement!

The oceans have been turned into plastic waste dumps

Every year, millions of tonnes of litter end up in oceans, beaches, forests and elsewhere in nature. The primary causes are our societies’ unsustainable production and consumption patterns, poor waste management strategies and the lack of environmental awareness.

Basically, we are turning the oceans into plastic waste dumps. And since no one is held responsible, the situation is only getting worse – every year. The amount of trash that is dumped in our oceans is set to double over the next decade. This poses a significant threat to the marine life, as well as to food safety and human health.

In line with the Greencarrier Spirit and our green profile and focus on the environment, we decided to take action against the marine pollution, and become part of two clean-up campaigns: European Clean-Up Day and Coast Rescuers.

Two initiatives with the same purpose – to tackle and give visibility to the litter problem

The first campaign is organised by the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR). Their aim is to promote the implementation of awareness-raising actions about sustainable resource and waste management – during one single week. The purpose of the campaign is to coordinate a Europe-wide annual clean-up event, that takes place on the same day all over the continent; involving and reaching as many citizens as possible.

The second campaign is organised by the Keep Sweden Tidy Foundation, which is a creator of public opinion that promotes recycling and combats litter through public awareness campaigns, awards and environmental education. The foundation strives to influence people’s attitudes and behaviour in order to encourage a sustainable development. The aim of Coast Rescuers (which is also part of the European Clean-Up Day) is to increase the knowledge and put marine litter on the political agenda – and to find solutions to stop the littering of our seas.

Cleaning up the coastline of Billdal

We decided to call our activity Greencarrier Clean-Up. Being part of the clean-up campaigns is a great opportunity, not only to contribute to a greener planet, but also to increase the involvement and engagement among our employees. Said and done, last week, we gathered all our Greencarrier Liner Agency staff in Gothenburg, Sweden and spent the entire afternoon cleaning the beach in Billdal, a municipal locality in Gothenburg.

Billdal has a winding coastline with many islands. It has a rich birdlife, and birds are often resting by the many beaches, enjoying the surroundings and soft shallow seabeds. In many areas of the globe, birds inadvertently feed on plastic floating on the water, mistaking it for food, and many times this ingestion leads to death and even the death of their young – something we want to stop.

During the day we collected and sorted as much litter as we possibly could! Together we collected 370 kilos of trash, which we are very proud of! The number will be reported to the European Week for Waste Reduction; by being part of the campaign and helping to clean up their environment, we and other participants can see how much waste is being dumped in our neighbourhoods. This action will hopefully raise the awareness of Gothenburg’s citizens on the litter problem, and help change people’s behaviour.

This is how we organised our clean-up action – you can do it too!

Do you also think that the oceans have suffered at the hands of mankind far too long? We encourage everyone to become part of the clean-up movement! This is what we did to organiclean_euse our Greencarrier clean-up action:

  • We identified a place to clean and got our contacts on board
  • We registered our action with our coordinator responsible for our area.
  • We set up our team and promoted our clean-up activity.

You can do it too! Apart from the European clean-up day you can take part in various awareness-raising actions. For more info visit the European Week for Waste Reduction.

If you want to know more about our CSR-projects and what we do to protect the environment, visit our website and like our Facebook page to follow our activities!

/Johan Olers, Greencarrier Liner Agency

New Generation of Greener Evergreen Vessels

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Categories: Solutions, Sustainability. Tags: , , , , , , .

How will the maritime industry successfully address the environmental issues? That’s one important question that Evergreen Line asks themselves and other companies in the industry. Being a transportation company means that we naturally have an impact on the environment, therefore we must be extra careful to consider the advantages of new technology and see the possibilities opened up by our global economy.

For Evergreen Line the environment is a top priority and we would like to share some of the latest environmental features of the new generation of vessel that Evergreen Line has invested in.

Already in 2003 Evergreen aimed to take a leadership position in innovative vessel design with its S-type “Greenships”, meeting the green policies of governments and also from customers asking for green solutions for their transportation.

Recently Evergreen Line signed a charter agreement of eleven 18,000 TEU vessels, even more optimized for environmental protection. The vessels are planned to be delivered from 2018 through 2019. These ultra large ships are equipped with the latest and the most advanced shipbuilding technology to ensure environmental protection. The ships measurements are about 400 meters in length and about 59 meters wide.

Optimized Hull Form with High Efficient Propulsion System

The vessel will have optimized hull form with high efficient propulsion system to improve the energy utilization and reduce the fuel consumption and emission pollutions. They are also designed to have larger depth to strengthen hull structure and navigation safety.

Eco-friendly criteria

In line with the stringent eco-friendly criteria that Evergreen has carried out on its own operation, the ships are equipped with various environmental protection devices that comply with the regulations of international maritime agencies.

  • Ship-to-shore real time data transmission system is introduced to enable operation departments on land to monitor navigation statistics and weather condition. In this way operational staff can analyse the data and take action for speed optimization and route planning at sea.
  • The capabilities can lower fuel consumption and enhance navigation safety.
  • The ship’s new generation G-type main engine is developed with a longer stroke to operate at lower speeds in order to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emission up to 7% than traditional main engines.

Priority for the environment

As agent for Evergreen Line we’re looking forward to the arrival of the new vessels, to see the new features and innovations of the ship design. We are glad that we together with Evergreen can offer some greener options of transportation and we are continuously working on finding green and innovative solutions for our customers and their transportations.

If you enjoyed reading this blog article, please leave a comment in the field below. Do you have questions about Greencarrier Liner Agency and Evergreen services and environmental actions, don’t hesitate to contact me or visit our website.

/Minna Ruisaho, Greencarrier Liner Agency

Why we switch to e-invoicing and how it benefits you

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Categories: Solutions, Sustainability. Tags: , , , , .

Did you know that paper invoices are responsible for ten percent of all trees cut down worldwide? Also, creating paper invoices uses as much energy each year as the consumption of 20 million households. Recently we decided to switch from paper to e- invoicing, the environment being one of the reasons, amongst many others.

What is an e-invoice?

An e-invoice is an invoice that is sent and received electronically and used to automate invoice processing. It’s a legal document that always includes invoice data and an invoice image. The invoice information is transmitted from the invoice issuer’s invoicing system using intermediators to the recipient’s financial administration IT system.

Why we prefer e-invoicing to traditional paper invoices

We believe in the importance of environmental protection and improvement for the long term. We always strive to minimise environmental impact, aiming for continuity in everything we do. That includes our handling process of invoices as well as anything else.

The benefits of e-invoicing

In addition to the environmental aspect there are many other reasons to use e-invoicing. An e-invoice solution for business-to-business does not alter the existing billing process. However, it reduces the manual work, which contributes to improved efficiency for both our customers and ourselves (as well as the environment). Here are some examples:

  • Improved safety with secure handling of invoices
  • Reduced administrative costs and errors
  • Greater efficiency and control of data
  • Increased visibility and control of cash flow
  • Eliminates late payment fees
  • Improves ability to forecast
  • Reduces typing errors
  • Less printing in favor for the environment
  • Decreases carbon footprint

Safe and suitable e-invoicing regardless of operator

Our invoicing is suitable to all customers, no matter of ERP/finance system used, only requirement is that your ERP system has e-invoice compatibility. Our e-invoice solution provider has a roaming agreement with good coverage, which means that you, as our customer, may use other operators without problem. All handling of data must be based on high security and data integrity. Sending e-invoices via our e-invoice solution provider is as safe as sending information via your online bank. All information is encrypted so that it’s only accessible by the recipient.

Tell us what you think!

Do you have any questions about our e-invoicing? Please, do not hesitate to contact me! I would also like to know your thoughts on this matter. Do you agree that e-invoicing is a good option? Maybe you have already started ditching hard copies in other ways? Let me know in the comment field below!

Also, visit our website for more information. Until next time, see you in our social media-channels!

/Minna Ruisaho, Greencarrier Liner Agency

Development and Trends within the Liner Agency Industry

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Categories: Tips & Trends. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

Last week the Federation of National Associations of Shipbrokers and Agents (FONASBA) annual meeting was held in Gothenburg, Sweden. The meeting is a chance for shipbrokers and agents from all over the world to get together and discuss development and other issues affecting the industry.

Fonasba was established in 1969 to be the voice of the shipping industry, as shipbrokers and agents, towards authorities. The organization also co-operates with other international maritime bodies and acts as consultants and advice in different matters within the shipping industry.

At this year’s conference, which was hosted by the Swedish Shipbrokers’ Association, we reported about the Liner Agency sector from a Scandinavian perspective. The yearly conference is a good opportunity for us both to share our knowledge and to discuss the challenges and possibilities we’re facing today within the liner and port agency sector.

Development of ports

Looking back shortly in the history, the growth of bigger and more comprehensive ports has been significant during the last 50 years. At the same time the number of ports has been reduced and the competition between the ports has increased in line with the less number of port calls. This also means that we drop the geographical spread of ports.

Increased volumes and containerisation

The demand for containerised transports is still increasing and the trend points towards more containerisation rather than RoRo transportation, showing that container ships are much more flexible and growingly cost effective.

Shipping lines are investing in bigger and bigger vessels as a result of the increasing volumes and the big players on the market are all a part of the league of mega ships with their 14,000 teu vessels investments. This will make them more competitive and the small shipping lines will disappear in the battle between the big giants.

The effects of the environmental regulations of SECA

The transport industry is growing and to regulate its negative effect on the environment politicians and governments all over the world are imposing more strict rules and regulations on the industry. On the 1st of January new regulations from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will enter into force for Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECA). You can read more about SECA here.

This of course affects the shipping companies as they need to change fuel from bunker oil to diesel, LNG or bio-fuel. They can also install scrubbers, which is a cleaning system onboard the vessel. Switching to low sulphur fuel is more expensive and it may reduce the competitiveness of the sea transport drastically, which can lead to a modal backshift from sea to road.

However, improvements for the environment is an important focus area for Greencarrier and we believe that this is good for the long term development of the industry.

In summary there are a lot of challenges for a shipbroker and port agent today and it will be very interesting to follow what the liner and port agency sector will look like 50 years from now.

What do you think? Please leave a comment in the field below.

/Fredrik Hermansson, Greencarrier Liner Agency Sweden