Maersk Line’s green initiatives and customer focus recognised

June 7, 2010

On 18 April, Maersk Line in Hong Kong was recognised for its efforts in operating environmentally friendly vessels with the Green Innovative Award 2010, presented by the Hong Kong Shipping Registry.

Pioneers
Maersk Line was given the nod for both the Quest (quality and energy efficiency in storage and transport) software – which provides a new temperature control system which reduces energy consumption per refrigerating (reefer) container by as much as 50% - and for pioneering slow steaming.

Dipak Dash, Managing Director Maersk Ship Management in Hong Kong, highlights that the award shows investment in green projects with clients is paying off. “These visible measures are turning eco-efficiency into eco-advantage, where the brand is furthering its collective value proposition to both our customers and to the communities we live and work in. This clearly positions us as a leader and partner in sustainable shipping.”

Competitive and reliable carrier
Across in Singapore, Maersk Line took home the Liner Owner/Operator Award at the 2010 Seatrade Asia Awards at the end of April.

Maersk Line merited the prize for performance in customer service, schedule reliability, as well as network and fleet development.

Commenting on the award, Jesper Praestensgaard, Chief Executive Asia Pacific Region, said: “We are very pleased with the win as it shows that Maersk Line remains the dependable choice for the industry, and more importantly, for our customers. Despite the challenges of the past year, the efforts we have put in providing best-in-class services and lead times have paid off, resulting in significant improvements in our customer service delivery. We will continue to listen closely to our customers’ needs, striving to remain the competitive and reliable carrier of choice.”

Freight by rail
Finally, Maersk Line was presented with an award at the Logistics & Transport Fair in Gothenburg, Sweden, on 5 May for a number of environmental initiatives at sea and on land. These include converting inland transportation from truck to rail and for reducing CO2 emissions from vessels.

Patrick Berggren, Director Operations in Scandinavia, says, “Maersk Line has worked determinedly since 2002 on the transfer of containers from truck to train.”

In 2002, about 40% of Maersk Line’s freight was transported by rail in Sweden. Today, it is up to 86%, equivalent to some 40,000 fewer truck journeys each year on Sweden’s roads.

“It’s great that we now get recognition for our long-term commitment to the environment,” adds Berggren.