Low sulphur fuel policy pays environmental dividends

One of the world's leading providers of factory-to-dealer vehicle transportation services, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) is continuing to lead the industry in its efforts to reduce the environmental impact of deep sea cargo movements.

Melanie Moore, Global Head of Environment and Quality, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, said that the company had calculated that it cut CO2 emissions in grams per tonne kilometre (g/tkm) by 6.9 per cent in 2008 compared to 2007 and achieved an 18.2 per cent reduction since 2004  well in advance of industry standards.

Between 2001 and 2008, WWL saved 121,293 tonnes of SO2 emissions by using lower sulphur content fuel compared to the industry average. This is equivqlent to one and half times as much SO2 that London, a city of 7.2 million, emitted over a similar period(+).

In addition, WWL has reduced it's NOx emissions in 2008 by 20.8 per cent since 1999.

These are just some of the facts to be found in WWL's "Environmental and Social Responsibility Report 2008" published today (18 August, 2009).

Other highlights of the 2008 report include:


  • Two vessels were fitted with a ballast water treatment system 'Pure Ballast' that uses a chemical free process to stem the spread of marine invasive species. This brings the total number of vessels with treatment systems to three.


  • 66 per cent of WWL's vessels met the company's objective of 5 ppm (parts-per-million) oil in bilge water, the IMO requirement is 15 ppm.


  • The average sulphur content in the bunker fuel used globally was 1.39 per cent. Since 2004, the company has maintained 1.5 per cent sulphur content as a maximum standard globally, compared with the international requirement of 4.5 per cent.


  • WWL's Orcelle Fund provided a grant to a "Carbon Negative Transport System" project that uses low carbon emissions power systems for vessels. The Orcelle Fund, which grew out of the company's visionary zero emission concept vessel E/S Orcelle, continues to support the development of alternative energy ideas.


  • WWL continued as the sole sponsor of WWF's High Seas Conservation Programme. Its financial and organisational support enables WWF to campaign for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from shipping, encourage flag states to ramp up performance, establish spatial planning of the oceans, and combat invasive species transported in ballast water.



  • "WWL has again shown a strong track record in reducing its environmental impacts, setting high standards for the entire industry. WWF is pleased to work with such a forward thinking company and encourages WWL to continue work towards its zero emissions goal," said Mr Miguel Jorge, Director Marine, WWF International.

    Mrs Moore said: "We have a long term vision of a zero emissions vessel.This keeps us energetically working towards a future where fossil fuels will be limited and harmful emissions will not be accepted as a business practice.

    "It's a marathon, and that is why we focus so intensely today on continual reductions in our environmental impact," Mrs. Moore concluded.

    Care of the marine environment has been a fundamental ethic of WWL since its formation in 1999. Not content with being the first shipping company to implement a global low sulphur fuel policy of 1.5 per cent in 2004, WWL developed the world's first "zero" emissions concept ship E/S Orcelle; and in its 10th anniversary year WWL continues to champion the wellbeing of the maritime environment.

    NOTES TO EDITORS:

    (+)Source:

    http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/environment/air_quality/docs/laei_2003.pdf

    Source:

    http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/environment/air_quality. Population of Greater London, 2006 mid-year estimated population of 7,512,400.

    Source:

    Office for National Statistics. 22 August 2007. http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase

    "E/S" stands for "Environmentally Sound" Ship.The ship is named after the Irrawaddy dolphin which is also known as in French as the Orcelle dolphin. WWF, the global conservation organisation, and IUCN, the World Conservation Union, include the Orcelle dolphin among the world's critically endangered species.

    ABOUT WALLENIUS WILHELMSEN LOGISTICS:

    Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) is a leading independent provider of global factory-to-dealer transport solutions for the automotive, agricultural and construction equipment industries. The company also specializes in handling complicated project cargo such as trains, power generators, mining equipment, and yachts.

    The company's sophisticated supply chain management services ensure an efficient integration of ocean services, inland distribution, terminal handling, and a comprehensive range of specialized technical services.

    WWL employs 3,000 people and deploys around 60 modern environmentally adapted vessels, serving 20 trade routes to six continents. WWL transports four million vehicles annually: two million by sea and two million by land. Annual throughput of the 33 vehicle processing centres is three million units. The company has a strong environmental focus and is an industry leader in developing innovative solutions to reduce its operational impacts on the environment.

    ABOUT WWF:

    WWF, the global conservation organization, is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations. It has a global network active in over 100 countries, with almost 5 million supporters.
    www.panda.org

    2008 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REPORT

    Printed copies of the report are available by contacting:
    Robert Minton-Taylor:
    robert.minton-taylor@2wglobal.com
    Online access to the report is available at:
    www.2wglobal.com/www/environment/esr

    PICTURES

    For pictures of Mrs. Melanie Moore, E/S Orcelle and WWL ships please email:
    Robert Minton-Taylor on
    robert.minton-taylor@2wglobal.com

    PRESS CONTACTS:

    Robert Minton-Taylor
    Global Media Relations Manager
    Corporate Communications
    Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics
    Phone Direct: +44 1535 634 634 (GMT)
    Mobile: +44 7947 818 816
    E-mail: robert.minton-taylor@2wglobal.com

    Melanie Moore
    Global Head of Environment& Quality
    Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics
    Phone: +47 67 58 41 00
    Phone Direct: +47 67 58 41 22
    Mobile: +47 48 40 69 12
    Fax: +47 67 58 41 44
    E-mail: melanie.moore@2wglobal.com

    Page updated: Aug 18, 2009
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