Crowley Maritime has been awarded the Rear Admiral William M. Benkert Marine Environmental Protection Award for Excellence, the U.S. Coast Guard’s most prestigious merchant marine honor, for the global shipping and logistics company’s commitment to safety and sustainability while exceeding essential standards for operations.
Crowley received the Osprey designation, the Benkert Award program’s highest distinction.
“The Benkert Award is a tremendous honor that above all reflects the dedication of the men and women in every facet of our organizations to go above and beyond basic regulations and industry standards,” said Tom Crowley, the company’s Chairman and CEO. “Each day, our mariners live our commitment to integrity, and safety is essential to what we do—from our vessels to our terminals, to our engineering and shoreside safety professionals and all others.”
“We appreciate the trust and recognition of our work by the U.S. Coast Guard, who are the maritime industry’s partners in ensuring our marine transportation safely operates to deliver cargo for America,” Crowley said.
Crowley is headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., but has a significant presence on the West Coast, including multiple locations across Alaska and California, as well as an office in Seattle.
Operating more than 170 vessels, the company has in recent years built on its established safety and environmental management systems and leadership programs, which include stop-work authority for every employee and contractor. The company has committed to reach net-zero emissions across all scopes.
As the largest U.S. employer of merchant mariners, Crowley also has enhanced its concentration on development and empowerment opportunities for mariners and administrative personnel even as it overcame the challenges of COVID-19 in daily service. The company’s stated commitment to inclusion includes recognizing the diversity of employees.
“None of our success would be possible if our people were not willing to take on these responsibilities, which are often outside of their normal day-to-day job requirements. Integrity, which is our first core value, means doing the right thing when no one is looking,” said Kelly Baughman, the environmental director with subsidiary Crowley Shipping. “This award is a testament to our people’s unending commitment to live up to that value.”
The Benkert Award, which is only given out every two years, was presented by the Coast Guard’s Wayne Arguin, assistant commandant for prevention policy, during a May 19 ceremony at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.
The award program recognizes corporations and businesses involved in marine facility or vessel operations that have demonstrated sustained excellence and outstanding achievement in protecting the marine environment.
It also encourages innovations in operations, pollution prevention and response, environmental outreach and partnerships, and provides a means for award recipients to share their successful methods and techniques with others in industry.