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Wednesday, 31 March 2010 15:42 |
Certification goes beyond federal, state, local regulations for proactive prevention of environmental impacts on land, sea and air
SEATTLE, March 31, 2010 - Foss Maritime has earned the prestigious ISO 14001 environmental certification to use as a blueprint to achieve its "zero trace" corporate goal.With its new certification, Foss' entire marine division, both shoreside and marine, moves to the forefront of American maritime companies that have publicly committed to sound environmental practices and continual improvement, bringing in outside auditors to certify their safety, quality and environmental (SQE) processes. The SQE audit, which incorporates ISO 14001, was conducted by ABS (American Bureau of Shipping), an international classification society with headquarters in Houston, Texas. The ABS SQE certification program allows ship owners to demonstrate adherence to the highest levels of safety, quality and environmental standards. The ISO 14001 Standard is an internationally accepted specification for environmental management systems created by the International Organization for Standardization to help organizations minimize how their operations affect the environment and comply with related laws, regulations and requirements. Foss was certified for its environmental management system, which includes a number of programs with objectives that include:
- Reducing vessel emissions, fuel consumption and energy use.
- Updating procedures for hazardous waste disposal and reducing use of hazardous substances where possible.
- Minimizing the risk of spills and reducing frequency and quantity of spills.
- Reducing the volume and improving the quality of graywater released from vessels.
- Increasing recycling efforts in the regional offices and on the vessels.
Foss has already received safety and quality certifications from third party auditor ABS. This includes SQ certification, which incorporates ISO 9001 for its Quality Management System and ISM (International Safety Management) for its safety management system.The recent certification adds the E for the environmental component. Foss has also received certification from AWO (American Waterway Operators - Responsible Carrier Program) for meeting safety, quality and environmental standards. "Our employees are committed to achieving the highest safety and quality standards. We are now demonstrating our commitment to the environment as well - it is what our customers have come to expect from us," said Gary Faber, President and COO of Foss."Protecting the environment is a core corporate value for Foss. This program goes beyond federal state and local regulations, moving from compliance to proactive prevention of environmental impacts on air, land and water. It goes without saying that that is where Foss wants to be," said Faber.ABS says by gaining SQE certification, a shipping company clearly demonstrates that it is operating as a responsible citizen.Foss joins a select group of elite U.S. based operators who have sought out the ABS SQE certification. "Today's business environment demands a greater degree of social, environmental, and fiscal responsibility to customers, shareholders, and communities. Companies must measure and control the environmental impact of their business process and products." The ABS SQE and ISO 14001 certification follow on the heels of Foss winning the US Coast Guard Admiral Benkert Award gold medal for environmental excellence in 2008. | |
| About Foss Maritime CompanyFounded in 1889, Seattle-based Foss Maritime offers a complete range of maritime services and project management to customers across the Pacific Rim, Euro | | |
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Monday, 22 March 2010 13:54 |
USCG GIVES FULL APPROVAL FOR MRA OPA-90 SALVAGE AND FIREFIGHTING SERVICES CONTRACT AND FUNDING AGREEMENT
(POMPANO, Fla.; March 22, 2010) Marine Response Alliance, LLC (MRA) has received approval from the U.S. Coast Guard of its Salvage and Marine Firefighting Contract and Funding Agreement. The Coast Guard’s all-inclusive acceptance of the contract means that MRA has the ability fully contract with plan holders needing salvage and marine firefighting services required under the OPA-90 sanctioned Salvage and Marine Firefighting Final Rule, which takes effect on February 22, 2011. MRA is a US based emergency response partnership comprised of Crowley Marine Services, Marine Pollution Control, TITAN Salvage, and Marine Hazard Response (a joint venture of Wild Well Control and Williams Fire & Hazard Control). The MRA contract fully meets the Coast Guard’s definition of “contract or other approved means,” including the very important funding agreement aspect of the final rule.
“MRA and the US Coast Guard worked closely to develop this unique contract mechanism that meets the intent of 33 CFR 155.4025. Our agreement allows for flexibility that should please planholders and their underwriters, as well as the US Coast Guard ", said Margaret Kaigh Doyle, MRA General Manager. “MRA can move forward using our extensive resources to ensure that all who name MRA in their plans will be compliant well ahead of schedule,” she said.
This announcement coincides with the US Coast Guard's recently released, Salvage and Marine Firefighting Requirements; Vessel Response Plans for Oil, (33 Code of Federal Regulations Part 155), December 31, 2008 Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQs). This document covers a range of topics, including: guidelines on plan submission deadlines, waivers, notification requirements under the rule, the QI's role in the process, clarification of certain definitions, the role of public resources in compliance, pre-fire-plans, response timeframes, drills and exercise procedures and a discussion of the possibility of deviation from the plan requirements during a response. While the FAQs were compiled with input from stakeholders like MRA, they were developed to support a Salvage and Marine Firefighting Requirements Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC), which the USCG ensures stakeholders is forthcoming.
MRA is also in the process of finalizing the MRA Salvage and Marine Firefighting Guidance Document. This will be available to MRA clients in April 2010. This document will be the basis of a number of workshops for MRA clients that begin in May. They will be held in the US, Europe and Asia.
To see the Coast Guard’s approval of our agreement, the FAQs, or for additional information about the upcoming Marine Response Alliance Salvage and Marine Firefighting workshops, please visit our website at www.marineresponsealliance.com. |
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