Environmental award for Akzonobel

Launched in 2014, the carbon credits reward scheme was based on ship owners converting existing vessels from a biocidal antifouling system to a premium, biocide-free hull coating such as AkzoNobel’s Intersleek. It financially rewards ship owners for using sustainable hull coatings that reduce emissions.

The judging panel said: “Intersleek is a great technology to help reduce greenhouse emissions from the shipping industry, and the carbon credits methodology will help incentivise ship owners to adopt it.”

“This could be a very impactful initiative, leading the industry towards sustainable shipping.”

This award recognises the company’s initiative in aiming to improve the environmental and energy management in the shipping industry.

Each carbon credit accrued represents the avoidance of one ton of CO2 being emitted to the atmosphere.

Neda Maritime Agency became the first ship owner to be awarded carbon credits through AkzoNobel’s scheme earlier this year. The company received a total of 13,375 carbon credits.

Oscar Wezenbeek, managing director of AkzoNobel Marine Coatings, added: “We are delighted that our efforts to support our customers, while also making an important contribution to reducing global emissions, has been recognised.”

“This award shows the impact and relevance of our carbon credits methodology, not just within the shipping industry, but also in the context of the wider global sustainability agenda.”

He concluded: “It also provides external validation, which we hope will give ship owners further motivation to enroll in the scheme.”