Evergreen Marine Earns Certification from ABS

Evergreen Marine Corporation (Taiwan) Ltd. has achieved certification of its combined Safety, Quality and Environmental Management Systems (SQE) to the exacting, internationally recognized standards established by ABS. "Under the leadership of its founder, Group Chairman Dr. Y.F. Chang, Evergreen has shown an unwavering commitment to safety, quality and environmental protection since its inception in 1968," said ABS President, Robert D. Somerville, when presenting the certificate of compliance. "This commitment to continuous improvement flows from the Chairman, to the executive team and throughout the organization to all the office and seagoing staff around the world." Receiving the new certificate, Captain S.Y. Kuo, Chairman of Evergreen Marine, stressed the company's obligation to Safety, Quality and Environmental management "since worldwide full container service commenced nearly 28 years ago." That commitment, he said, includes the safe and efficient operation of its fleet of nearly 150 ships in global service, a safe and healthy working environment for all its employees, the prevention of pollution from all sources, and full compliance with all applicable international laws and regulations. Evergreen demonstrated its commitment to these principles by voluntarily meeting the International Safety Management (ISM) Code requirements in 1997, five years before the mandated date. The decision to expand its management system to include full compliance with the ABS SQE standards was taken in 2001. Company compliance has now been achieved and individual certification of every vessel in the fleet is scheduled for completion within 2-3 years.