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The certification requirements span from pollution prevention to fuel efficiency, from waste management to social accountability.
FoS and Varuna Marine Services to Boost Sustainable Shipping Globally
(ITALY, 10/23/2018)
Friend of the Sea, the international certification scheme for sustainable seafood and Dutch marine surveying firm Varuna Marine Services have signed a collaboration agreement to boost sustainable shipping globally.
The two parties agreed that Rotterdam-based Varuna Marine Services would support Friend of the Sea in expanding globally its Sustainable Shipping Certification Program. The certification requirements span from pollution prevention to fuel efficiency, from waste management to social accountability. In particular, most updated pollution prevention systems must have been implemented to reduce the emissions of NOx, SOx, PM and CO2, as well as chemicals. Water and waste management measures must be in place. Moreover, in order to combat illegal fishing (IUU), it is forbidden for audited vessels to use a Flag of Convenience, to carry any endangered species, Dolphin-Unsafe tuna or more in general seafood fished or transhipped illegally.
Two major European shipping companies have embraced Friend of the Sea standard voluntarily.
Compliance with social accountability is an important part of the Friend of the Sea sustainable shipping certification, focusing on minor labour, regular contracts and compliance with minimum wage rules, health care, maximum number of working hours, rest and vacations plan.
“The collaboration with Varuna Marine Services will help the certification’s global spread,” explains Paolo Bray, Founder and Director of Friend of the Sea, “It will guarantee audit’s high performance.”
Friend of the Sea is expanding globally its Sustainable Shipping Certification Program.
Varuna Marine Services offers a broad portfolio of services, both traditional and cutting-edge, enabling maritime businesses to position themselves at the forefront of change. Key to the partnership with Friend of the Sea are Varuna Marine Service’s worldwide network of qualified surveyors and its global client base.
Paolo Bray.
"This new partnership builds on our commitment to sustainable shipping. We are pleased to use our expertise and global network to ensure better protection of the oceans,” says Sanjeev Wewerinke Singh, Genera Manager of Varuna Marine Services.
So far, two major European shipping companies, GreenSea and Seatrade, audited by the third party auditor BMT Survey, have embraced Friend of the Sea standard voluntarily. Moreover, in an effort to further reduce its environmental impact, French tuna ship-owner Compagnie Française du Thon Océanique (CFTO) is now moving its Friend of the Sea certified tuna only by means of certified sustainable shipping operators.
About Friend of the Sea
Friend of the Sea (FOS) is an international certification scheme for products from sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. in 10 years, around 900 companies in 100 countries have relied on FOS to assess the sustainable origin of their seafood. Audits are based on the best up-to-date data and run by accredited independent certification bodies. FOS also supports projects of presevation and protection of the environment and marine habitats. Moreover, it is constantly engaged in awareness campaigns to make more and more people conscious of the importance of consuming only certified sustainable seafood.
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