LR introduces environmental management standard

Using the expertise of its quality assurance business, LRQA, Lloyd?s Register has developed a shipping industry specific guide for the ISO 14001 environmental management standard to enable ship operators to establish and implement effective environmental management systems.

The core is an environmental ?practical pack? for ship operators – a step by step approach to assist in identifying and prioritising environmental issues. It is designed to help operators evaluate the environmental risks and to incorporate any legal and other requirements they face. Other requirements may include those coming from specific stakeholders, charterers or other expectations placed on shipping companies. The pack will help quickly establish a corporate and fleet wide environmental policy and identify necessary environmental improvement objectives. It uses the basis of the ISM systems by building on the strong pollution prevention objective in ISM utilising procedures already present but that also address non statutory environmental protection requirements, both at sea and ashore. Use of the pack can promote the development of vital checking and evaluation systems within any organisation by introducing a new system in a controlled and manageable way through a tiered approach towards certification.

Shipping remains the most efficient, environmentally friendly, and often the only, means of moving freight. But much can be done to reduce the impact of shipping on the environment and managing the environmental impact of ship operations is a paramount expectation of regulators and many charterers as well as recognising the need to make the most of resources. The increasing operational complexity of shipping and increased regulation in the industry requires management to use systems to help them meet goals of continuous improvement.

There is increasing evidence of significant cost savings generated through the effective implementation of environmental systems. This is a tool that will help industry to minimise risk and to continually develop the capabilities of assets and human capital by reducing operational inefficiencies and reducing risk. Better environmental performance and resources should also be better for a company?s bottom line.