Finalists for Heyerdahl Award Announced

The Expert Committee announced a short list of two candidates for The Thor Heyerdahl International Maritime Environmental Award. This year the awarding ceremony takes place in Japan, host to EXPO-2005 under the theme Natur’s Wisdom.

The Heyerdahl Award’s Expert Committee, lead by Terje Staalstrøm (DNV), have concluded a short list of two worthy candidates, who have demonstrated outstanding technical innovation and outstanding and proactive environmental policy and activities. Both candidates contribute to an improved global environment and to the development and implementation of new specific environmental measures. The candidates are:

Knutsen OAS Shipping – KVOC-system

The Norwegian shipping company is operating the largest fleet of purpose-built DP (dynamic positioning) class shuttle tankers in the world and is nominated for their KVOC-system. The KVOC-system reduces VOC-emissions during loading and transport of VOC-containing cargoes by avoiding underpressure during loading, thereby stabilising the VOC in the liquid cargo suppressing the flashing during loading. A prototype system was installed on a shuttle tanker in 2002 and further improved systems have been installed on four additional shuttle tankers of Knutsen OAS Shipping.

NYK Line – Environmental focus and innovations

The Japanese company is nominated for their outstanding commitment to continuously improve its environmental performance beyond what is required by rules and regulations.

This is clearly demonstrated and communicated in their comprehensive Social &Environmental Report, thus being a model and example for other major shipping companies.

NYK is also actively participating in the development and implementation of a number of innovative technological solutions and operational procedures contributing to reducing the environmental impact of the operation of their fleet that go beyond regulatory requirements.

The Thor Heyerdahl International Maritime Environmental Award The purpose of the Award is to contribute to an improvement of the global environment, announce the environmental benefits of shipping as a mode of transport, and to serve as an inspiration for implementing new, specific environmental measures. Dr. Thor Heyerdahl and the Norwegian Shipowners' Association launched the Thor Heyerdahl International Maritime Environmental Award in June 1999. From January 2003 the sponsorship behind the award was developed further, to include also the shipping classification society DNV and the household names in the marine insurance world, Skuld and Gard Services. The award is presented every other year