Puyallup, Washington-based Westwood Shipping Lines is the latest company to take part in Green Marine’s environmental certification program geared toward the maritime sector in North America, it was announced Nov. 7.
Green Marine President David Bolduc lauded Westwood Shipping Lines’ participation.
“Having Westwood Shipping Lines on board further boosts Green Marine’s presence among the ship owners with operations on the Pacific Northwest Coast and bodes well for this region’s sustainable future,” Bolduc said.
“By joining this voluntary initiative, Westwood Shipping Lines is further strengthening its commitment to sustainability by choosing to benchmark its efforts, as well as take part in the exchange of environmental knowledge and innovation available through the Green Marine network,” he added.
To obtain certification, the company will review the environmental performance of its fleet using key performance indicators such as “greenhouse gases, aquatic invasive species, air emissions, oily discharge, waste management, underwater noise, and ship recycling.”
Results are independently verified every two years and the performance made public every year, according to Green Marine.
Part of the Swire Group conglomerate, Westwood has a fleet of seven container ships that offer marine transportation between the Pacific Northwest and the Far East.
“Implementing the Green Marine program will complement our efforts towards the even greater sustainability of our operations and reduction of our fleet’s impact on the Pacific Northwest’s air, waters and shorelines,” Westwood Shipping Lines President and CEO Jack Mahoney said.
