Contship Containerlines Get Green Passorts

Not only are the trio of reefer containerships recently deployed by Contship Containerlines the largest of their type in the world but they are among the most 'green' and environmentally friendly. They even have their own 'green' passports. The three ships in question - Contship Aurora, Borealis and Australis - have entered service on Contship Containerlines' Europe/Australasia/North America services. All three are classified by Germanischer Lloyd. Indeed, Contship Aurora, was the first ship to be awarded Germanischer Lloyd's 'Green Passport' classification.

The green notation is a voluntary standard which allows a shipowner/operator to demonstrate its commitment to the environment. The notation concentrates on operational aspects to reduce the risk of emissions to the sea and air. The passport is only issued once the owner can show compliance with all applicable laws, as well as some legislation that is still pending. It will only be awarded to ships which, like Contship's three vessels, exceed minimum international maritime environment protection requirements and meet tough local or regional standards. In accordance with this notation, the ships: · meet all relevant environmental legislation such as SOLAS and Marpol · meet the requirement of Annex 6 regarding air emissions · are painted with non-TBT paint · meet the requirements of the Montreal protocol with regards to refrigerant gases · have a comprehensive waste management plan · are ISM certified · have fuel oil management procedures set out · have a sewage management plan · hold ISO 14001 accreditation through the ship managers.

"Not only does Contship Containerlines want to be seen by its customers as meeting their needs through the provision of modern tonnage, but it is keen to do it in a manner which least harms the environment," said David Halliday, Senior Vice President of CP Ships' Australasia and Asia Business Unit. "The Germanischer Lloyd Green Card, or passport, is a very stringent regime for ships to meet. But we are proud to have achieved this and believe it will pay dividends in helping to expand our business. "In tender documents, many of our customers require evidence of our environmental policies. By having the green passports these ships are ahead of the game . and much of the competition . and this maintains our record of setting the standards in container shipping."