AkzoNobel wins major environmental award

AkzoNobel’s pioneering methodology for rewarding ship owners who use sustainable hull coatings has been named Environmental Leader Product of the Year for 2016. The award recognises the introduction of the shipping industry’s first carbon credits methodology, which was developed by the company’s Marine Coatings business.

Launched in 2014 in conjunction with The Gold Standard Foundation and Fremco Group, the scheme is based on ship owners converting existing vessels from a biocidal antifouling system to a premium, biocide-free hull coating, such as Intersleek, part of AkzoNobel’s International range of marine coatings.

The methodology financially rewards ship owners for using sustainable hull coatings that improve operational efficiencies and reduce emissions. This is reflected in the awards success, which specifically recognises the role of the initiative in improving environmental and energy management in the shipping industry, while delivering bottom line benefits to those who participate.

Earlier this year, Neda Maritime Agency Co Ltd, a leading Greek tanker and bulker owner, became the world’s first ship owner to be awarded carbon credits through AkzoNobel’s landmark scheme. The company received a total of 13,375 carbon credits – potentially worth around US$60,000.