January 2016
SIU-contracted companies and Seafarers-crewed vessels once again racked up numerous awards at the Chamber of Shipping of America’s (CSA) annual winter ceremony.
The CSA traditionally conducts two events each year: one in May that focuses on accident-free operations, and one in November for environmental safety.
The winter gathering took place Nov. 4 in Washington, D.C., where the association presented Certificates of Environmental Achievement. According to the CSA, the average time operating without incident for ships and vessels that received awards is 6.9 years. More than 300 vessels have logged at least 10 years each of “environmental excellence.”
U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Paul F. Thomas, assistant commandant for prevention policy, participated in the award ceremony and congratulated the recipients and the industry as a whole for their “extraordinary performance.”
Kathy J. Metcalf, president of the CSA, said, “These awards celebrate the dedication to environmental excellence of our seafarers and the company personnel shoreside who operate our vessels to the highest standards. In today’s world, it seems our industry only gets front-page news when spills or other environmental problems occur. It is encouraging to see how many vessels go for years achieving environmental excellence. It should be clear to the American public that we in the maritime industry take our stewardship of the marine environment very seriously.”
The awards are “open to all owners and operators of vessels that operate on oceans or inland waterways,” according to the CSA, which represents U.S.- based companies that own, operate or charter oceangoing tank, container, or dry bulk vessels engaged in both the domestic and international trades and companies that maintain a commercial interest in the operation of such oceangoing vessels.
SIU-contracted companies receiving environmental awards in November included Alaska Tanker Company, Crowley Maritime Corporation and several of its subsidiaries including Marine Transport Lines, E.N. Bisso & Son, American Overseas Marine (AMSEA), Harley Marine Services, Keystone Shipping, and Maersk Line, Limited.
Also earning recognition were Seafarers-contracted Maersk Line, Limited, Farrell Lines, Moran Towing, Ocean Shipholdings, Ocean Duchess, OSG Ship Management, Patriot Contract Services, Seabulk Tankers, TOTE Services, TOTE Maritime Alaska, Pasha Hawaii and U.S. Shipping Corporation.
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