Friend of the Sea and Varuna join efforts to favour sustainable shipping.

Friend of the Sea partners Dutch firm to boost global sustainable shipping certification

ITALY
Tuesday, October 23, 2018, 03:40 (GMT + 9)

International certification scheme Friend of the Sea and Dutch marine surveying firm Varuna Marine Services have signed a collaboration agreement to boost sustainable shipping globally.

Through the deal, both parties agreed that the Dutch firm would support the certification scheme in expanding globally its Sustainable Shipping Certification Program.

The certification requirements span from pollution prevention to fuel efficiency, from waste management to social accountability. In particular, most updated pollution prevention systems must have been implemented to reduce the emissions of NOx, SOx, PM and CO2, as well as chemicals.

Both partners agree that water and waste management measures must be in place and that in order to combat illegal fishing (IUU), it is forbidden for audited vessels to use a Flag of Convenience, to carry any endangered species, Dolphin-Unsafe tuna or more in general seafood fished or transhipped illegally.

Friend of the Sea stresses the importance it gives to compliance with social accountability, focusing on minor labour, regular contracts and compliance with minimum wage rules, health care, maximum number of working hours, rest and vacations plan.

“The collaboration with Varuna Marine Services will help the certification’s global spread,” explains Paolo Bray, Founder and Director of Friend of the Sea, “It will guarantee audit’s high performance.”

For his part, Sanjeev Wewerinke Singh, Genera Manager of Varuna Marine Services, stresses the significance of the partnership to ensure better protection of the oceans.

So far, two major European shipping companies, GreenSea and Seatrade, audited by the third party auditor BMT Survey, have embraced Friend of the Sea standard voluntarily.

Moreover, in an effort to further reduce its environmental impact, French tuna ship-owner Compagnie Française du Thon Océanique (CFTO) is now moving its Friend of the Sea certified tuna only by means of certified sustainable shipping operators.

 
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