CERTIFICATIONS

ISO 50001 – Energy Management

ISO 50001 is an internationally accepted standard for energy management that outlines a framework for improving energy efficiency. The standard is applicable to any organisation, regardless of its size and industry sector. The standard was issued on 15 June 2011 and is based on the management system model that is already understood and implemented by organisations worldwide.

The purpose of ISO 50001 is to enable organisations to establish systems and processes necessary to continually improve their energy performance, including energy efficiency, use and consumption. ISO 50001 is intended to foster reductions in energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and other related environmental impacts through the systematic management of energy. As in all management system standards, successful implementation depends on commitment from all levels and functions of the organisation, and especially from top management.

ISO 50001 contains common elements like the Plan-Do-Check-Act continual improvement cycle, ensuring compatibility and easy integration with the ISO 9001 quality adopted by the majority of industrial and manufacturing organisations as well as the ISO 14001 environmental management systems and other ISO standards.

A key part of the ISO 50001 standard is energy planning, including a definition of baselines and energy performance indicators (EnPI), the identification of saving potentials, a selection of measures and monitoring items and setting of targets.

ISO 50001 fosters transparency and enables organisations to build on their reputation by demonstrating their commitment to improving energy performance to their stakeholders.

ISO 50001 certification shows your customers, employees and stakeholders that energy efficiency is important to your business, and demonstrates that it is being systematically managed.

A strong commitment to energy efficiency benefits both the environment and the organisation’s bottom line. Implementation of an energy management plan assists the company to:

  • Reduce emissions without a negative effect on operations
  • Continue to improve energy use/product output over time
  • Develop a baseline of energy use and document savings for internal and external use
  • Actively manage energy use and costs
  • Improve your reputation among customers, authorities and partners
  • Enhance staff moral

On July 2012, AEGEAN BULK CO INC became the first shipping Company to obtain Certification on ISO 50001:2011 by the Norwegian Classification Society DNV.

On July 2020 AEGEAN BULK were Certified upon the revised ISO 50001:2018

 

 

ISO 14001 – Environmental Management System

ISO 14001 is the most recognized international standard for environmental management systems. It is used worldwide. The nature of ISO 14001 allows it to be applied to the complete range of business sectors, scopes, and activities. It is a truly universal standard, which is one of its great benefits. It provides a framework through which an organisation can deliver environmental performance improvement in line with its environmental policy commitments. 

The standard specifies requirements for how to proactively achieve the following intended outcomes:

  • Identify and understand the environmental aspects of its activities, products and services and associated environmental impacts.
  • Understand how significant aspects can be managed, implement necessary controls and set clear objectives to improve environmental performance.
  • Establish its environmental policy and objectives.
  • Manage its obligation to comply with applicable legal and requirements and other stakeholder obligations, and to regularly check the compliance status.
  • Continually improve the management system to enhance its environmental performance.

ISO 14001 is designed to be compatible and harmonized with other recognized management system standards, including ISO 9001. It is therefore ideal for integration into existing management systems and processes.

The benefits of ISO 14001 are numerous, but the most significant and tangible ones are that the standard enables the organisation to:

  • Build and operate an environmental management system within a well-defined and clear framework, which at the same time is flexible to your own business needs and expectations. 
  • Provide a tool for environmental performance improvement and the means to effectively monitor and measure environmental performance.
  • Facilitate reductions in pollution, waste generation and unintended discharges to the environment. This includes impacts related to the product, taking into consideration a life cycle perspective.
  • Improve your resource management, including use of energy, which also may imply a reduction in the cost of running your business.
  • Better meet environmental legal compliance and corporate requirements.

AEGEAN BULK CO INC has been Certified on ISO 14001:2004 (Enviroment) – on March 2004 by the Norwegian Classification Society DNV.

On June 2018, AEGEAN BULK was Certified upon the revised ISO 14001:2015

 

ISO 9001 – Quality Management

Certification of your quality management system demonstrates your commitment to consistency, continual improvement and customer satisfaction. These are tangible business benefits that play an important part in building a sustainable  business performance. The ISO 9001 standard provides specific requirements for a quality management system that will enhance your ability to consistently deliver products and services that meet customer - as well as statutory and regulatory requirements.

  • ISO 9001 provides a model for a quality management system which focuses on the effectiveness of the processes in a business to achieve desired results.
  • The standard promotes the adoption of a process approach emphasizing the requirements, added value, process performance and effectiveness, and continual improvement through objective measurements.
  • Previous versions of ISO 9001 were tailored to the manufacturing industries and called for extensive system documentation. The current version is more generic and applies equally well to all organisations, regardless of type, size, and product provided.

Certification to ISO 9001 demonstrates to potential customers your organisation’s ability to meet their requirements and needs. This results in:

  • Enhanced customer confidence and satisfaction, which in turn can lead to increased business.
  • A significant competitive advantage because more and more companies require management system certification from suppliers and sub-contractors in order to conduct business with them. 

AEGEAN BULK CO INC has been Certified on ISO 9001:2008 (Quality) – on December 2001 by the Norwegian Classification Society DNV.

On June 2018, AEGEAN BULK was Certified upon the revised ISO 9001:2015

 

GREEN AWARD

Green Award is a quality mark for ships that demonstrate high safety and environmental standards.

The objective of the Green Award certification scheme is to promote the safe and environmentally friendly behavior of ship and crew/management, mainly by achieving international acceptance, recognition, regulation and coordination of the “Green Award” Certification, all in observance of (inter)national conventions, legislation and developments in the area of ship lay-out, equipment, crew, operations and management.

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The Green Award Requirements address issues related to quality, safety and environment and pay extra attention to crew elements. The Green Award Foundation is active all over the world with the certification scheme for dry bulk carriers and oil tankers that go above and beyond the set standards in cleanliness and safety. All efforts are made to benefit the marine environment, including cleaner seas. Efforts and benefits are also key issues for the ship owners. Admitted, it is quite an effort to meet the stringent Green Award requirements. But once certified and proven to be more environmentally friendly, the ship owners reap various benefits like:

  • Discount on port dues
  • Charter preference
  • Continuous improvement
  • Lower costs
  • Lower insurance premiums
  • Acceptation by PSC / vetting inspections
  • Quality more visible
  • Better image
  • Motivation and pride of crew
  • Less incidents

M/V AFOVOS was the first Dry Bulk carrier certified by Green Award on June 2008.