Maersk Line turns waste into value
SHIPPING: Traditionally, the removal of sludge and waste from a vessel has incurred a cost. But recently, Maersk Line’s sustainability experts joined forces to see if waste could be turned into something more valuable
“In the current financial environment, this is exactly the kind of innovative initiative we need –contributing to both the environmental and financial goals” says Anders Lund Kristensen, Head of NEULOC
The pilot project looked at how sludge and waste was treated in different ports, and created a traffic light scorecard for each port. Green meant that environmental standards were being adhered to and that the sludge was being recycled for energy and that this was being done in a cost effective way for Maersk Line.
The project team worked with the port authorities and waste removal companies in the pilot area to help bring them up to the green standard. The pilot has been a success, and instead of paying money to get the vessels’ sludge and waste disposed of, Maersk Line will now get a fee for the sludge part.
So far, Maersk Line is a frontrunner in the industry and Jan Gardeitchik, Director of Policies at Harbourmaster Division in the Port of Rotterdam, explains.
“The self-assessment questionnaire is a really thorough document which covers most, if not all factors which a good waste collector must comply with or can deliver to the parties involved.”, Jan Gardeitchik says.
The team will now continue with the other deep-sea ports in scope.
“Proving that environmental excellence can go hand in hand with cost efficiency, as we see in Belgium, is indeed important. Not only is it pushing the global drive to increase sources of income but it is also demonstrating that a product we used to consider as ‘waste’ is actually an unused resource”, says Eskild Lund Sorensen, Environmental Manager at Maersk Line.
Source: Maersk Line
