19 minute read
Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility
The offshore energy industry has a clear responsibility towards CO2 reduction and safety. Building on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), a good and honest CR policy will attract new business partners and young capital and will help build our industry of tomorrow.
Below articles focus on themes such as corporate responsibility, sustainability and safety.
GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM, FOR YOUR SUSTAINABILITY AND SUPPLY CHAIN TRANSPARENCY RATINGS
The World has created the Sustainable Development Goals, Standards, Laws and Regulations. All with the Intent to Make a Difference for Our Planet and its People.
But there are some problems:
- A persistent lack of clarity - There’s overload of complex information - Nobody has given you a plan for your path to sustainability - Sustainability consultants and reporting are expensive and time-consuming - You’ve no idea if you’re complying with sustainability laws - You’ve no idea if you’re effectively managing opaque supply chains - You’re worried you’re exposing your business to risk - You’re unsure on what areas of sustainability yield the greatest impact
This is why we created the online GSES platform. GSES is a worldwide accepted international standard to holistically measure your sustainability performance. A meta standard that unifies every sustainability standard in the world. Validated through independent partners and accreditation institutions.GSE-Standard and it’s supporting GSES-System have everything you need to measure, rate and manage your sustainable performance, supply chains and investments. Your plan for rating, governing and improving your sustainable performance, supply chains and procurement. Request a demo, register and get access to the platform. Measure your sustainable performance on an organisational and/or project- and product level, invite suppliers and gain Scorecards and certificates. Manage and improve your sustainable performance in your personal Dashboard.
Rating methodology
GSE-Standard measures organisations and their supply chain organisations on two levels – combined covering all facets of sustainability in organisations, products, production processes and supply chains: The organisational level (6 pillars) an the product/project level (3 pillars). The Standard is based on GRI and ISO High Level Structure and in compliance with UN Global Compact, OECD Guidelines and the Responsible Business Alliance. They are open source and managed by a wide international range of experts, stakeholders from diverse industries, led by the National Sustainability Institute of the Netherlands.
Maritime and Offshore sector
GSE System is often used by members from the offshore and maritime industry. IRO endorses GSE System for their members and companies like Van Oord, Heerema Marine Contractors, IFS and many others have joined the GSE System already. For example Van Oord is not only measuring their own sustainability achievements but also the achievements and transparency of their suppliers.
DISCOVERING, CLEANING UP AND PROTECTING THE NORTH SEA
The Netherlands is closely linked to the North Sea. A connection with a rich history full of adventure and calamity that has always had a great influence.
Traditionally our country holds a close economic connection with the sea in terms such as transport, fishing, oil and gas production, wind energy and tourism. In recent years we have increasingly come to recognise the North Sea as a crucial part of the ecosystem of which everyone is a part. In the nineties, this awareness led to the start of ‘Duik de Noordzee Schoon’, now a foundation with a growing number of enthusiastic volunteers who clean up the North Sea, but also discover and visualise the secrets of the North Sea.
Harmony at sea
Stichting Duik de Noordzee Schoon believes in a clean and healthy North Sea where fishing, energy production and recreation are sustainably in harmony with flora and fauna. Initiated by experienced North Sea wreck divers, the Foundation highlights the importance of natural and artificial reefs in the North Sea. Fully funded by their own contributions and donations, expedition members dedicate themselves to protecting the North Sea. Annually, they organise one or more expeditions to special areas of the North Sea with the aim to increase knowledge of the North Sea, and to protect shipwrecks from destruction and waste disposing.
Adventures In the deep
The volunteers of Stichting Duik de Noordzee Schoon are a great source of inspiration to the IRO board. To support the Foundation IRO joined forces with Energy Reinvented Community in October 2020. Together they funded the translation of the Foundation’s adventure book IN THE DEEP into English, making it accessible to an international audience. In the book beautiful images and great stories reveal 14 diving expeditions of the Foundation. With wonderful pictures, the book tells the story of these adventurous and special discovery voyages to all corners of the North Sea. Unique reefs pass by with their flora and fauna on the seabed. They paint a picture of an unimaginable world on the bottom of the North Sea, a world we usually only connect with the reefs in the Caribbean or other exotic spots in the world.
How can you contribute?
With the sales of this book (€ 25,00) the Foundation can fund one or more diving days during one of their next expeditions. The English edition of the book provides you with an inspiring business gift, of course you can also order it for personal use. You can order directly via the QR-code on this page. Take a look at the good work of the volunteers and check out the website of Duik de Noordzee Schoon. Interested in a personalised edition of ‘In the Deep’ with your own logo? It’s is possible for orders of 500 copies or more. It is also possible to become a partner and join with an annual contribution; visit www.vriendenvandenoordzee.nl.
For all your contributions and/or questions please contact pr@duikdenoordzeeschoon.nl. The foundation has an ANBI status, donations are tax deductible.
We all carry responsibility to our North Sea; the Foundation counts on you!
DUTCH OFFSHORE E&P INDUSTRY WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE ENERGY SUPPLY DURING COVID-19
2020 brought many challenges including securing the production of oil and gas offshore to maintain a stable energy supply in the Netherlands in unusual circumstances. In these unprecedented times, the Dutch offshore E&P sector has demonstrated its strength in collaboration and adaptability to assure safe and healthy working practices and environments.
Oil and gas production were already indicated as vital processes, but this became even more relevant during the Corona crisis; bringing with it the responsibility to find ways to ensure the continuity of these processes while meeting the additional health and safety requirements in the COVID-19 period. NOGEPA (Netherlands Oil and Gas Exploration & Production Association) played a leading role in creating and organising the procedures that would allow for this. However, the intensive collaboration between operators and contractors was quickly identified as key in keeping the number of offshore infections low. The E&P industry was able to set-up extensive procedures within a very a short timeframe in March 2020 with an overall aim of minimising the number of infections offshore. There was a broad understanding that the procedures would not be perfect from the get-go, but that it was more important to create a framework and adapt this over time. These procedures are still regularly evaluated and updated based on new insights and lessons. The NOGEPA medical advisor maintains contact with the Municipal Health Services (GGD) and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) to stay on top of developing requirements as well.
Specifically, the procedures were set up to minimise the risk of offshore workers, their colleagues and helicopter pilots of contracting COVID-19. Additionally, it was important to ensure the safe transport of workers either by regular flight operations, or, in the case of a (possibly) infected passenger, by means of a dedicated helicopter. This includes pre-screening procedures before passengers arrive at Den Helder Airport, as well as screening procedures at the airport itself. Operators were indicated as responsible for checking that contractors travelling offshore also complied with these procedures. Workers arriving by walk-to-work vessels also adopted these same procedures. Open and transparent communication within our own industry, as well as with other offshore industries such as the wind sector has proven beneficial and crucial. There has been a stable atmosphere of co-operation and transparency over the past several months. In order to maintain this NOGEPA has set-up a Business Continuity network to discuss upcoming issues and the way forward. NOGEPA also maintains regular contact
with the Inspector-General of State Supervision of Mines about the challenges we face as an industry and whether we are continuing to operate in a socially responsible manner. The seriousness with which the operators and contractors approached these circumstances has allowed us to keep the number of offshore COVID-19 infections extremely low. We have demonstrated that the E&P industry have been flexible and resilient enough to ensure security of supply. We could not have done this without the cooperation of the contractors and sub-contractors.
Read more at www.nogepa.nl.
HOW HATENBOER-WATER’S BOTTLE FILLING STATIONS CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCTION OF MARINE PLASTIC LITTER
According to Wageningen University Research institute, between 5 and 13 million tonnes of plastic are lost annually from land to sea and end up as what is known as ‘the plastic soup’. Marine birds and other wildlife accidentally ingest plastic litter or become entangled. In October 2018 the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has pledged to further address the significant problem posed by plastics to the marine environment, with the adoption of an action plan which aims to enhance existing regulations and introduce new supporting measures to reduce marine plastic litter from ships. IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) adopted the action plan, to contribute to the global solution for preventing marine plastic litter entering the oceans through ship basedship-based activities.
PLASTIC BOTTLES BY THE NUMBERS
- Up to 450 years to dissolve - A million are bought every minute - 80% will never be recycled - Estimated 10% ends up in the ocean - Plastic will outweigh fish per 2050 Hatenboer-Water, an established water expert, is internationally renowned as a full-service partner in the water treatment market. Hatenboer-Water designs, constructs and supplies freshwater modules for 7000+ clients in maritime, offshore, horticulture industries as well as other land based industrial applications. Traditionally there has been distrust for the quality of the drinking water on board, especially in Asia the (local) crew only wants bottled water, because they do not trust bunkering.
Hatenboer-Water has been pledging for years for the use of water makers, so that the drinking water that is produced with them is simply drinkable, although this requires discipline to maintain and monitor the water system on board. However, owners / operators are required by law to do this anyway and Hatenboer-Water conducts risk assessments and draw up water manuals for the customer. Hatenboer-Water sees that companies and people are getting more and more aware of the pollution problem of plastic water bottles. Due to COVID-19, clean
water and hygiene on board vessels has become even more relevant at this moment. Hatenboer-Water notices a huge demand for its water filling stations.
Royal Wagenborg is one of those clients that chooses a sustainable alternative to plastic bottles. After a successful test on six vessels, the company is installing HatenboerWater bottle filling stations on another thirty vessels. The taps provide the crew with drinking water, making plastic bottles of water no longer necessary on board. “Each year, around 180,000 bottles of water are used on board of our vessels,” says Superintendent Izak van Rhijn. “These bottles are made of single-use plastic, resulting in 2.8 tons of plastic waste. Although we collect our waste and deliver it separately ashore, we consider this environmental impact difficult to justify as a sustainable shipping company. Therefore we found it very hard to justify this environmental impact and we started looking for alternatives.”
In that search, Royal Wagenborg came across HatenboerWater’s bottle filling stations. “The bunker tanks on board contain fresh water, but after purification there is a chlorinelike taste to the water. There is a filter in the HatenboerWater stations to remove this unpleasant smell and taste. The result is delicious fresh chilled water that is perfectly suitable for consumption”, says Van Rhijn. And that is not just a sales pitch, according to the reaction of Captain Van Gorkum of the Reestborg. “We got a water bottle filling station on board. The crew is enthusiastic about the good taste of the water and makes full use of the tap. Now we no longer have to carry large quantities of drinking water in plastic bottles.”
Positive reactions were also heard from the other five test vessels and checks show that the water meets all safety standards. That is why Wagenborg has decided to expand the test to another thirty vessels. “If it also suffices there, it is certainly the intention to provide all our vessels with a bottle filling station”, concludes Van Rhijn. ‘Safe Water on Board’ is indeed a good alternative for those horrible plastic bottles!
More info at www.hatenboer-water.com.
EUROPEAN MARITIME CLUSTER REACHES OUT TO BRUSSELS FOR MARITIME RECOVERY PLAN
The maritime sector is severely affected by the effects of the Corona crisis. The short-term impact is already visible, but much of the sector will be hit late-cyclical.
Due to the consequences of the worldwide fall in demand and the low oil price, new projects are difficult to get off the ground. In order to draw the attention of Dutch administrators to this, the broad maritime sector has called for a coordinated approach via a maritime recovery plan. The emphasis must be on the innovative sustainability of the sector, bringing forward government investments, ensuring that the liquidity position is maintained and borderless ports and corridors. Besides the fact that a lot of attention has been paid to this via the various (social) media, the call is also being taken seriously by the government.
The Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management is coordinating here and work is being done to set up a decisive task force. But the maritime sector is pre-eminently a global sector. The same problems exist throughout Europe. The European maritime cluster is part of the ‘Blue Economy’ and according to the latest EU report on this, 4 million people are directly dependent on it for their work. The companies in the ‘Blue Economy’ generate an annual turnover of € 658 billion. In addition to traditional components such as shipping, ports, shipbuilding, fishing, coastal recreation and inland shipping, the sector also consists of new sectors such as the extraction of sustainable energy from the sea (offshore wind), blue biotechnology and aqua culture. Under the chairmanship of the Netherlands, the ENMC (European Network of Maritime Clusters) has now also sent a call on behalf of the broad European maritime sector to the administrators and politicians in Brussels to draw attention to a maritime recovery plan. Europe has a strong maritime position in the world, but the consequences of the Corona crisis put it at risk and we are vulnerable to takeovers by nonEuropean companies. A financial safety net must preserve companies and jobs for the future. Hopefully, they will respond to the call in Brussels just as responsibly as they are now in the Netherlands.
Find more information on this subject at Nederland Maritiem Land’s website www.maritiemland.nl.
ECOSCOUR PROTECTION: ENHANCING NATURE VALUES IN OFFSHORE WIND FARMS
Van Oord, as part of Two Towers, takes the next step in a research program relating to the restoration of European flat oyster beds. To investigate methods for the development of oyster reefs at offshore locations, a total of eight reef structures with oysters will be installed underwater within the Borssele Wind Farm Site V in the North Sea.
Ecoscour protection at Borssele Wind Farm Site V
The Borssele Wind Farm Site V, located 20 km off the coast of the Netherlands, has been designated as an innovation site. Two Towers, consisting of Van Oord, Investri Offshore and Green Giraffe, has been awarded the concession and has therefore been given a unique opportunity to test and demonstrate advanced technologies. One of the technologies is the Ecofriendly scour (Ecoscour) protection. Oyster reefs are the basis for a healthy, thriving underwater life. They filter the seawater and provide food, shelter, and spawning area for fishes and other marine species. Over a century ago, one-fifth of the Dutch part of the North Sea was covered with European flat oyster beds, but these have disappeared, due to overfishing, habitat destruction and disease. Because of the designation of marine protected areas and the construction of offshore wind farms, areas with undisturbed seafloor are increasing. This provides an opportunity for restoring the oyster reefs in the North Sea. The Ecoscour project generates knowledge on the development of oyster reefs. Van Oord works together with Wageningen Marine Research, HZ University of Applied Sciences, Bureau Waardenburg and the Netherlands Institute for Sea Research.
Putting research into practice
The potential for offshore wind parks in the North Sea to contribute to achieving biodiversity goals, restoring ecosystem functions, and enhancing ecosystem services is gaining commitment. A leading example is the offshore Borssele Wind Farm Site V which provides an opportunity to gain knowledge on best practices for oyster reef development. This research program tests different
outplacement methods for live European flat oysters on the two scour protections of Borssele Site V, by installing eight different structures offshore. On the different structures oysters will be placed in various ways such as contained, loose and pre settled. This is being done to determine which method works best for the long-term establishment of oyster reefs on scour protections. Additionally, the research team wants to gain knowledge about what the most effective life stage of a European flat oyster is for installation on the scour protection: for instance adult oysters or juvenile oysters/spat or a combination of both. By means of our Ecoscour research program and the installation of these eight new reef structures offshore, the team aims to learn a great deal about developing oyster reefs in the North Sea on a large scale.
Nature enhancement in wind farms
Over the past two years, several experiments have been executed, for example to learn about the type of substrate most likely to be successful in collecting oyster spat. The research findings provide insight that contributes to upscaling the development of oyster reefs in existing and future offshore wind farms. The acquired knowledge will enable developers and owners to incorporate methods for nature enhancement in their wind farms. These innovative eco-designs for monopile scour protection, cable crossings and other installations on the seafloor will benefit the marine environment and associated societal interests.
More information at www.vanoord.com.
ALLSEAS RIVER PLASTICS REMOVAL PROJECT
Working every day at sea, Allseas witnesses firsthand the devastating effect plastic pollution is having on the world’s oceans and marine life. Plastic pollution is a global problem, and we are committed to the cause to help clean our oceans of plastic trash.
Within Allseas’ Innovations Department, a team of dedicated engineers is leading the way, leveraging our engineering expertise and creative thinking to develop systems to catch plastics in rivers and waterways before they can reach the seas and oceans.
Analysing the quantities and distribution of plastics in rivers
A key objective of the plastic project is to develop knowledge on the quantities and distribution of macro- and micro-plastics (< 5 mm) in rivers. The project team has been performing tests with its plastic sampler in different waterways in the Netherlands. The sampler comprises three nets set at different water depths up to 5 metre under the surface so the vertical distribution of plastics can be investigated in various zones of the river. Factors such as wind and current are recorded to assess their effect on the distribution of plastics. Waste is analysed and sorted by size and material type. Macro litter is analysed at Allseas’ laboratory. For micro plastics, Allseas collaborates with the chemistry and biomedical departments of the Hogeschool Rotterdam. The results can be used later to help predict plastic waste hotspots.
Allseas’ plastic collection systems
Allseas has developed and installed a plastic collection system for the Port of Antwerp, Belgium, and performed a study about plastic pollution in the Verversingskanaal in Scheveningen, the Netherlands. In October 2020, our most recent waste collection system ‘Catchy’ has been put into use in the Vijfsluizerhaven in the Nieuwe Maas. Installed as a pilot for Rijkswaterstaat, Catchy will remain in place until June 2021. Catchy collects litter 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – both floating litter and waste up to a metre under the surface. The system prevents macro and microplastics from flowing into the protected nature reserve north of the Vijfsluizerhaven and out into the North Sea. Catchy works entirely on wind and current, and is not limited by weather conditions.
How Catchy works
Catchy has two floating booms (one of 12 metres and one of 200 metres) fitted with an underwater skirt at the bottom. As a result, both floating waste and waste up to 1 metre below the surface are guided into the collection cage. In Vijfsluizerhaven, this is deep enough to collect the largest waste flows and also gives enough space for fish to easily swim underneath the skirts. A non-return flap at the front of the system ensures that the collected waste cannot flow back out of the collection cage. The system is emptied monthly and is expected to collect about 200 kilograms of waste a month. This waste is sorted in Allseas’ laboratory and analysed for material type, size and weight. On that basis, Allseas wants to gain insight into the cause and extent of the litter problem in the Nieuwe Maas and make recommendations on how the collected litter can be processed sustainably and cost-effectively.
Background information on plastic pollution
Increased global production and poor waste management has led to a build-up of plastic litter in the world’s oceans. In the diverse marine habitats, including beaches, the sea surface, water column and seafloor, millions of tonnes of plastic debris is present. Plastic pellets lost in the process of fabricating plastic objects and degradation of larger plastic items lead to the formation of abundant small micro-plastics, which are ultimately ingested by plants, fish and animals, passing durable microscopic contaminants to organisms higher up the food chain. The flow of plastics into the oceans occurs through a variety of pathways, but rivers are one of the largest contributors. Removing these ‘plastic soups’ from vast water bodies is challenging. One solution to prevent plastic waste from building up in oceans is to catch it in the rivers before they can transport it to the oceans.
European grant LIFE awarded to back Allseas’ plastic removal efforts
Our efforts have received EU financial backing in the form of a grant under the LIFE programme, the EU’s funding instrument for environmental and climate action and has a duration of 3 years. It aims to support existing waste management processes, and develop and deploy state-ofthe-art plastic identification and recovery tools.
