We appreciate our significant responsibility for the quality of the environment and seek to minimise the impact of our fleet operations on the environment. As an industry leader, we strive not only to meet the strictest environmental standards but to exceed them.
In 2019, we adopted the Green Charter, which is a crucial component of our current development strategy. The Charter lays down our responsible approach towards environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and efficient use of resources.
The Charter was formulated considering Pathways in the Paris Agreement, the emissions reduction targets set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and other regulations at international, regional, and national levels.
The Charter pays special attention to reducing the carbon footprint from vessel operations whilst maintaining high levels of efficiency and quality of these operations. Primarily, the document envisages the adoption of cutting-edge engineering solutions and innovative technologies, and also aims to increase energy efficiency and decrease energy consumption.
We are particularly focused on introducing cleaner types of marine fuel, with liquefied natural gas (LNG) being the primary choice. In 2018, we pioneered the adoption of LNG as a primary fuel for large-capacity tankers across the global tanker industry, which enables a significant reduction in vessel emissions. We assist in wider adoption of LNG fuel for shipping operations, competence development and the expansion of LNG bunkering infrastructure.
At the same time, we continue to study the practical feasibility of introducing other alternative fuels and technologies to further reduce the environmental impact of vessel operations.
We also place a strong emphasis on enhancing the resource usage efficiency (including fuel, energy, and water), protecting marine biodiversity, and waste management.