Maersk Line: Shipping’s role in global trade and development

2 May 2012

In a frank report, Maersk Line casts light on the impacts of global container shipping and trade, both good and bad.

Copenhagen, May 2, 2012, 8:30 CET – Maersk Line shares its new sustainability progress report, Route 2, in which it seeks answers to probing questions such as how to:

Minimise environmental impacts whilst facilitating global trade ?
Create environmental transparency across the industry ?
Enable an informed and frank discussion on needed changes ?

Telling it like it is
“Global shipping accounts for 3-4% of global CO2 emissions. However, there continues to be an eminent lack of transparency and understanding of the impacts of shipping. The shipping industry is in general not very open about its performance - perhaps for good reasons. This undermines the credibility of the entire industry,” says Lucas Vos, Chief Commercial Officer, Maersk Line.

Maersk Line is committing to help do something about that. It puts the various impacts of activities on the table, as well as Maersk Line’s own 2011 performance.

“We need to chart an alternative path or route. With Route 2 we hope to help our customers, regulators, NGOs and even consumers ask better questions. This should add positive pressure on the shipping community,” continues Vos. “Many of our customers are already engaged - we can see this in the report - but more is needed to drive a real change.”

In focus: The implications of trade
The Maersk Line report begins by looking at shipping as a facilitator of Global trade and the implications of this, both negative and positive.

“This is an important discussion and Maersk Line, as a global shipping line, must contribute. We don’t have all the answers but we aim to support our views with evidence, case studies and numbers. We try to make our impact tangible so that it is clear what we bring to the table and where we need to improve,” says Soren Stig Nielsen, Head of Sustainability, Maersk Line.

The long-term goal is to build a sustainable foundation for trade and shipping, both in terms of ensuring profitability and responsible business practices. Maersk Line therefore openly discusses issues such as corruption and facilitation payments, the need to combat illegal trade and the options for reducing environmental impacts.

Good business sense
In 2012, as part of efforts to restore profitability, Maersk Line is further intensifying its focus on environmental sustainability, in particular fuel efficiency and CO2 reductions to reduce cost.

“Route 2 outlines the path we’ve chosen to integrate responsible business practices and sustainability. It’s a central component of becoming a stronger and more profitable company,” says Stig Nielsen. “It helps us consider our role in society, challenge ourselves and the industry.”

Maersk Line, press release