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Since 1998, WSTC has trained over 7,000 seafarers, of which over 700 are now working on foreign vessels. We actively support and conduct research helping us to improve our environmental performance. |
I.M. Skaugen recognises that, as a business, everything that we do has an impact on people – both within and outside the company. Our strategic objectives on corporate responsibility are to guide our operations so that social, environmental and ethical considerations are embedded into our business.
Our aim is always to make all our employees proud to be working at I.M. Skaugen and to demonstrate the highest levels of integrity and responsible business management. We always strive to achieve continuous improvement in our operations in all areas that affect our customers, the physical environment and society as a whole through measurement, monitoring and review of our performance and by committing ourselves to continued excellence.
Nowhere is this more evident, than in the work of our Safety, Health, Environment and Quality management team. They have a pro-active approach to the safety, health and environmental requirements laid down by regulators and our own company policies. Without adherence to these standards commercial and operational success is not possible.
We have highlighted below just a few examples of how our responsibilities are driving the way we operate.
SAFETY
The transportation of oil, gas and chemical products can be a risky business. But, we pride ourselves on carrying out this business in the safest manner we can. We recognise that the safety of our personnel, equipment and cargo shall always be the predominant factor, overriding any commercial interests. No deviation or short cuts in any safety measures are ever tolerated. We ensure that safety and quality improvements are an integral part of the way we conduct our operations, with a view to continuously improving the company’s competitive position. Safety is the cornerstone of our business.
In 2004, we set ourselves a strict target of just two incidents resulting in loss of work days per one million hours. Our staff worked a combined 2.8 million hours during the year, with only six days lost due to incidents - a remarkable achievement, in line with our best hopes. All accidents and no-accidents were reported to the safety management team, which will help us to continually evaluate and further improve our safety record in the future.
SECURITY
2004 saw the implementation of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) International Ship and Port FacilitySecurity code (ISPS) - a complex and far-reaching code adoptedin the wake of the tragic events of 11th September, 2001. The requirements of the code seek to establish an international framework of co-operation between governments, government agencies and the shipping and port industries to prevent and suppress terrorist acts against ships at sea and in port and improve security aboard and ashore.
By operating to this new code we aim to reduce risks to crews and port personnel on-board ships and in port areas, as well as to the vessels and their cargoes.
ENVIRONMENT
I.M. Skaugen recognises the responsibility we have to treating the environment in which we operate with the utmost respect. To this end, reducing environmental impact is an imperative of our operations.
Our guiding principle is that accidents and environmental harm can be prevented. That is why continuous improvement and prevention of pollution is an inherent part of all areas of our activities. We will continuously evaluate the environmental risk factor of our operations.
As a major participant in the transport sector we are actively working to minimise the environmental impact of our activities and improve our energy efficiency. Our aim is to reduce the waste from our activities through efficient recycling and continuous improvement of the management of our resources.
While our environmental goals are ambitious, they are also realistically attainable. Our goals are measurable as much as possible so we can track our environmental performance and identify areas for future improvements. As an example, in 23 years of operation, SPT has safely lightered over five billion barrels of crude oil, with less than 0.00002 per cent, or about 900 barrels lost to the environment.
We are committed to complying with both national and international environmental legislation, regulations and other requirements - and in many cases we go beyond regulations and industry standards. We actively support and conduct research helping us to improve our environmental performance to ensure we always act in a responsible manner.
The most significant environmental standard today is ISO 14000, actually a series of international standards on environmental management. ISO 14001 is at the heart of the ISO 14000 series and specifies a framework of controlfor an Environmental Management System against which an organisation can be certified by a recognised third-party.We are presently undertaking an intensive evaluation programme which will look at how we can best implement ISO 14001 - further proof of our strong commitment to protecting the environment.
TRAINING
Having a knowledgeable and highly skilled workforce is imperative if a global company is to meet the exacting needs of its customers. At I.M. Skaugen, we believe this can only happen through carefully managed training, which has resulted in the creation of our training centres in Wuhan, China and in St. Petersburg, Russia.
The Wuhan University of Technology-Skaugen Training Centre (WSTC) is our most significant commitment to industry training. A joint venture company established by the former Wuhan Transportation University and I.M. Skaugen, WSTC trains seafarers - both from Skaugen and the industry as a whole - in the handling and transportation of dangerous cargo, including chemicals, LPG and oil products. WSTC also offers vessel maintenance and various shipowner-specific courses. Since 1998, WSTC has trained over 7,000 seafarers, of which over 700 are now working on foreign vessels.
Co-ordinated in conjunction with local maritime academies, both our centres focus on all aspects of the training of seafarers to ensure all attendees are competent enough to undertake the business of transportation of dangerous cargoes by sea in a safe and timely manner. All of our training programmes are accredited by national maritime authorities, as well as by the relevant flag state authorities.
TRANSPARENCY OF OPERATIONS
Whether it be employees, customers or shareholders, we are committed to keeping all of our publics informed in a constructive and timely manner. For example, I.M. Skaugenhas for several years focused on achieving and maintaininga highly transparent and accountable financial reportingsystem. It is company policy to report promptly, within10 working days of the end of each quarter.
The Group prepares market reports which it disseminates to customers on a regular basis and information on fleet management operations is also made available. Relevant customers are allowed direct access to real-time information on vessel voyages, using satellite navigation equipment.
I.M. Skaugen’s adherence to strict standards of corporate governance is intended to ensure controlled and profitable development of the company. Whether it be for the safe operation of our facilities, the welfare of our employees and community, or the protection of the environment, we will steadfastly observe the laws, regulations and in-house guidelines, which govern all of our operations.
| VESSEL AND TRANSPORTATION SAFETY Petro-chemical and liquified petroleum gases (LPG) are highly versatile gases, used for feedstock in the petro-chemical industry, heating, cooking and, increasingly, as fuel in the transportation sector. However, there are risks associated with their transportation and handling, but strict regulations and safe practice have ensured that these are kept to an absolute minimum.These gases have been carried by sea for almost 50 years, with an exemplary safety record. The construction and operating procedures for LPG and petro-chemical gases are governed by regulations laid out by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and other international standards. The ships, by the nature of their business, are well-specified and well-built, with safety barriers built-in to hulls, equipment and systems for safe operations. It is always our aim to be an industry leader when it comes to the transportation of these hazardous gases. We are continually working to improve our pro-active risk mnagement systems, bringing an excellence to our health, safety and environmental performance. |
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