It was a double scoop for the maritime industry as Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics AS (Singapore Branch) (WWL), a Swedish/Norwegian shipping and logistics company received both the SEC-CDL Outstanding Singapore Environmental Achievement Award and the inaugural SEC-MPA Singapore Environmental Achievement Award (Maritime).
This is the second consecutive year that a maritime organisation has stood out amongst all recipients, reinforcing the importance of environmental sustainability both on land and at sea. Seven organisations received awards under the six categories at the awards ceremony this afternoon.
This year’s awards also saw repeat winners with Samwoh Corporation Pte Ltd, a home-grown market leader in the construction industry, an SEAA winner in 2010, winning the SEC-SETSCO Singapore Environmental Achievement Award (Manufacturing) and the Housing & Development Board, which won in 2013 receiving the SEC-Senoko Energy Green Innovation Award.
Their achievements reflect the merits in continually striving for environmental sustainability even as Singapore’s build environment expands.
Highlighting the importance of contributions from all sectors, Mr Edwin Seah, executive director of the Singapore Environment Council said: “90 per cent of world trade by volume is carried by shipping. And with shipping being a significant contributor of sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, there is an opportunity for the sector to reduce airborne pollution from carbon emissions and fossil fuel consumption on a global scale.”
“We are heartened to see the efforts and leadership taken yet again by a shipping firm to embrace sustainable shipping to protect the environment. We are also pleased that two giants in the local build environment have continued to pursue environmental sustainability as part and parcel of their business,” added Seah.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), a 2015 SEAA winner, stepped forward to sponsor the SEC-MPA Singapore Environmental Achievement Award (Maritime), recognising Singapore’s status as a renowned international maritime centre and a premier global hub.
“Having won the SEAA ourselves last year, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore is honoured to be the category sponsor for the inaugural Maritime Sector award this year. MPA’s sponsorship is a reflection of our commitment in promoting a Clean and Green Maritime Singapore. We strongly encourage maritime companies to tap the incentive schemes provided under MPA’s Maritime Singapore Green Initiative to reduce the environmental impact of shipping and its related activities, and to promote clean and green shipping in Singapore. We would like to congratulate the two trailblazers, WWL and The China Navigation Company for winning this year’s award,” said Mr Andrew Tan, chief executive of MPA.
Outstanding award winner, WWL, not only established measures to reduce their atmospheric and marine pollutant emissions, such as introducing a new sulphur policy limiting sulphur at berth to <0.1 per cent for all vessels in all ports globally.
They also founded the Trident Alliance, an international coalition of more than 35 ship owners and operators from 12 countries, to raise awareness on the enforcement of sulphur regulations.
“Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics is very pleased that the MPA leads the way to create and reward environmental “best practice” in SE Asia and the SEC continues to recognise Environmental forerunners. We appreciate the recognition of our long standing low sulphur policy, and are happy to announce that we are taking it further by the introduction of our <0.1 per cent sulphur at berth policy this year, improving air quality in Singapore and all other ports in the world,” said Mr Gur Prasad-Kohli, head of South Asia (India & SE Asia) at WWL.
The winners for the six award categories for SEAA 2016
SEC-CDL Outstanding Singapore Environmental Achievement Award
Winner: Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics AS (Singapore Branch)
SEC-SETSCO Singapore Environmental Achievement Award (Manufacturing)
Joint Winner: Abbott
Joint Winner: Samwoh Corporation Pte Ltd
SEC-CITIC Telecom Singapore Environmental Achievement Award (Services)
Merit Winner: Mandarin Orchard Singapore
SEC-Lee Foundation Singapore Environmental Achievement Award (Public Sector)
Winner: Bukit View Secondary School
SEC-MPA Singapore Environmental Achievement Award (Maritime)
Winner: Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics AS (Singapore Branch)
Merit Winner: The China Navigation Company Pte Ltd
SEC-Senoko Energy Green Innovation Award
Winner: Housing & Development Board
All category winners received their awards from Guest-of-Honour, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources at the Orchard Hotel.
About the Singapore Environmental Achievement Awards
The SEAA is one of the distinguished pioneer green awards in Singapore. Launched in 1997 to inspire local commitment to corporate best practices in environment, the awards have blossomed into a regional affair in the past 19 years. From the public sector to manufacturing and services industries, the SEAA has been key to influencing some of the best practices in corporate sustainability. 2016 saw a new Maritime award category introduced to encourage and recognise maritime organisations who have exemplified environmental leadership.
Applicants undergo rigorous independent assessments conducted by the Assessment Committee based on competitive judging criteria to be declared winners in each of six award categories. The Assessment Committee puts forth the recommendations to the Steering Committee, which determines the final selection of winners.
For more information, please visit www.sec.org.sg/seaa.
About the Singapore Environment Council
Established in 1995, the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) is an independently managed, non-profit and non-government organisation (NGO). We influence thinking on sustainability issues and coordinate environmental efforts in Singapore.
We are also an approved charity and offer tax exemption to donors. SEC continuously engages all sectors of the community by formulating and executing a range of holistic programmes, such as the Singapore Environmental Achievement Awards, Asian Environmental Journalism Awards, School Green Awards, Singapore Green Labelling Scheme, Project: Eco-Office, Project: Eco-Shop and Project: F&B.
In addition, we build a pool of committed volunteers under our Earth Helpers programme. Our Training and Education arm provides the people, public and private sectors with the opportunity to develop awareness, knowledge, skills and tools in order to protect and improve our environment for a sustainable future.
Strong partnerships with corporations, government agencies and other NGOs are valued by us. These partnerships are vital for sustaining our programmes, leading to positive action and change. Over the years, SEC has given strength and direction to the environmental movement in Singapore.
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