Friend of the Sea has engaged international maritime design, engineering and risk management consultancy BTM Surveys to investigate whether or not specialised reefer vessels comply with the broad set of requirements to qualify for certification.
The primary goal of Friend of the Sea is protection and conservation of a sound, sustainable and eco-friendly marine habitat in the oceans of the world. To help deliver its mission, Friend of the Sea introduced its eco-label, for companies that demonstrably operate sustainably and eco-friendly in the worldwide fishing sector, which includes cargo vessels. A recent addition is specialised reefer vessels transporting fish and fish products from their landing point to their final destination anywhere in the world; this is where BMT Surveys expertise has been drawn on.
BMT undertakes the investigation in two stages: firstly, verifying the certificates and other relevant documents required for obtaining and maintaining the eco-label. Secondly, each ship is audited onsite every couple of years by BMT’s expert inspectors, to determine whether all the environmental and sustainability requirements are also met on board.
‘This commission recognises the knowledge and expertise of BMT’s operating standards in the maritime industry,’ commented BMT Surveys director Jeroen de Haas.
‘We are also pleased to contribute to a sustainable and increasingly eco-friendly society. Conservation of the natural habitat in the oceans of the world is very dear to the organisation.’
