The Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI), a coalition of global companies including Wärtsilä, and NGOs spanning across the sector, announced on October 31 the signing of a 30-year vision to secure the industry’s future, as well as the start of a joint work programme to deliver long-term sustainability. It is the first time shipping has taken such a wide-ranging approach to meeting the challenges that face the sector. With signatories representing over half a trillion dollars in market capitalisation, the move is expected to drive change across the industry.
As shipping supports 90 percent of world trade it has a huge impact on the future of sustainability of commerce. Sustainable Shipping Initiative was launched in 2010 to bring together players from across the industry.
The group represents ship owners and charterers, shipbuilders, engineers and service providers, banking, insurance, and classification – all of whom acknowledge that the industry will face changes and challenges in the future and needs to make long-term plans for success.
“Providing sustainable solutions is at the core of Wärtsilä’s activities. SSI offers us a great platform to team with industry players and work on areas that require coordinated action towards a more sustainable future,” says Jaakko Eskola, Group Vice President, Ship Power.
Vision an important starting point for more practical work
An important step towards this future was taken on October 31, 2011 when Vision for 2040 was published in London. Wärtsilä was represented by Atte Palomäki, Group Vice President, Communications.
At the launch event, SSI members called on industry participants to participate in the workstreams in order to promote the most active knowledge transfer possible.
Currently, the SSI signatories commit their knowledge and expertise as follows:
SSI’s key objectives for 2040
All companies in the industry invited to join
Most of the actual implementation of the SSI’s vision will be happen through four work streams focusing on crafting practical solutions:
SSI will call on industry participants to share the vision and join the work streams.
Project is coordinated by the Forum for the Future together with NGO Partner WWF. Forum for the Future is the UK’s leading sustainable development NGO. It works internationally with government, business and public service providers, helping them to develop strategies to achieve success through sustainability, to deliver products and services which enhance people’s lives and are better for the environment, and to lead the way to a better world.
[mappress] Source: Wartsila, November 1, 2011.