Dive Brief:
- Cargill joined forces with the Global Maritime Forum, the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network, the North American Environment Protection Association and the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association in an effort to establish safer, more efficient transport shipping, along with lower emissions, according to a company press release.
- The company aims to use its breadth of influence within the agriculture, food and nutrition sectors to help reach the United Nations Global Compact’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Among the goals to be achieved are: sustainable change; greater protection of the marine environment; a corruption-free maritime industry, as well as providing greater access to women within the maritime industry industry through increased global and regional networking, conferences, and business and skill building coaching opportunities.
Dive Insight:
The greening of the supply chain has come to include cleaner ships and cargo handling, as many large companies, including those in logistics and transportation, work to promote their sustainability programs.
The International Maritime Organization is also promoting cleaner ocean transport, by limiting the amount of sulfur in the fuel used to power ships.
Given the degree of pollution a transport ship can generate (5,200 tons of sulfur oxide within a single year), efforts to reform the industry are not only welcome, but greatly needed.
"In recent years, the ocean transportation industry has faced renewed calls to reduce its emissions," Joe Cook, Communications Director for Ocean Transportation at Cargill, told Supply Chain Dive. "The International Maritime Organization has outlined clear regulation to reduce sulfur oxides by way of its 'global sulfur cap.' It will unveil its plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions later this year."
Cargill's determination to join forces with like-minded organizations also enhances the likelihood of greater success.
"We believe that such partnerships are essential to achieve industry-wide improvement," Cook said. "Partnerships can bring about positive change in the form of regulation, technology or best practices, to name a few."
Over the years, the company has undertaken numerous other ocean-related environmental efforts.
"Cargill’s ocean transportation business is a member of the Trident Alliance, Sailor’s Society, Seaman’s Church Institute and the Carbon War Room. It is also a customer and investor in RightShip, the world’s leading maritime risk management and environmental assessment organization," Cook said.
