MSC Cruises, Port Everglades, Matson, International Chamber of Shipping and Ocean Voyages Institute Among 2020 NAMEPA Marine Environment Protection Awards Recipients U.S. Arctic Research Commission, Sea Education Association and Offshore Wind’s Liz Burdock also recognized
Weston, CT
|
September 22, 2020 04:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Carleen Lyden Walker, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), announced that MSC Cruises, Port Everglades, the International Chamber of Shipping for its Seafarer Welfare work, and Matson for Environmental Innovation are among the eight recipients of NAMEPA’s 2020 Marine Environment Protection Awards. Other recipients are: Ocean Voyages Institute, Sea Education Association, the U.S. Arctic Research Council and the Business Network for Offshore Wind’s Liz Burdock for the category of Individual.
The Awards Program will be held virtually in conjunction with NAMEPA's Annual Conference on November 5th, which will focus on looking ahead to 2023 and preparing for the future.
“Particularly in these turbulent times, it is uplifting to celebrate the accomplishments and positive actions of our maritime community,” stated Carleen Lyden Walker, Co-Founder and Executive Director of NAMEPA. “The marine industry works tirelessly to deliver more than 90% of the world’s goods and energy safely and with a keen eye to reducing its environmental impact. It is NAMEPA’s honor to highlight their efforts, along with community partners who share our values to “Save our Seas”.
NAMEPA’s Marine Environment Protection Awards are given in recognition of an individual or organization’s innovative and extraordinary efforts to commit themselves to preserving the marine environment as exemplified by a commitment to programs which have specific objectives set for environmental performance and improvement.
Eligible candidates include members of the commercial maritime industry, government agencies, educational organizations, innovation providers, ports, associations and individuals. Submissions are judged by the organization’s Board of Directors against the criteria behind the award.
MSC Cruises is being recognized for its multifaceted environmental work throughout its fleet and organization. MSC Cruises has begun construction on up to 9 LNG powered ships which are being designed to be compatible with low carbon bio and synthetic fuels as they become available. Additionally, they completed the $200 million+ restoration of Ocean Cay in the Bahamas to its original, pristine state; and took meaningful steps to eliminate single-use plastics from their fleet.
Matson is receiving the Environmental Innovation Award for the breadth, scope and investment in its entire environmental program, which includes innovative new technology, modernization of its fleet and terminals, participation in grants and clean-up programs, and detailed planning for long term future goals. In 2020 their vessel new build, vessel retrofit, and terminal improvement programs have all come to fruition, bringing Matson’s environmental program to its industry-leading position.
Ocean Voyages Institute recently conducted two voyages into the Pacific Gyre (often referred to as the “Pacific Garbage Patch”) with a record setting haul of abandoned nets, fishing gear, and other plastic debris which collects in the gyre. The non-profit organization seeks to expand its program by partnering with the marine industry to increase the capture of these harmful pollutants.
The first NAMEPA Marine Environment Protection Award was presented 13 years ago posthumously to the founder of the MEPA movement, George P. Livanos who created HELMEPA over 30 years ago due to his interest and concern for the marine environment. Since then, award recipients have included Maersk, Euronav, CLIA, Joe Cox, the Port of Los Angeles, International Seaways, the Port of Montreal, the OAS-CIP, American Salvage Association, NOAA and the New York Harbor School among others.
The NAMEPA Annual Conference including a Leadership Roundtable panel will precede the Awards Program, consisting of senior leadership individuals from many of the of the award recipients.
For more information on attending, contact NAMEPA. There is a charge to attend, but students, active mariners and government personnel are guests. Admittance is by reservation only and is limited.
