Environmental impact

The shipping industry’s impact on the environment is varied and takes many forms

The use of fuel produces exhaust gases – Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulphur Oxides (SOx), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Particulate Matter (PM) which contribute to global warming and other air quality issues. Unregulated oil and bilge water discharges affect the sea and marine life. So do leakage and waste fluids from ship machinery. Noise and vibration from vessels impact marine mammals.

Tank venting during loading produces harmful shore side Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions. Grease on wires washed off during mooring operations gets into the sea. Chemicals used for deck cleaning or surface preparation prior to painting can be washed overboard. Aquatic marine organisms and pathogens attached to hulls are spread around the world, threatening indigenous species.

BP Shipping’s approach to maritime HSSE issues is proactive. Compliance with existing laws and regulations is considered as our minimum requirement. We give a lead by meeting legislative regulations early, by setting new performance standards for ourselves, by taking a collaborative approach and by engaging actively with partners and employees.

At all times we strive to minimize the environmental impact of our operations and seek to act responsibly, implementing systems to support careful management of energy efficiency, air emissions, water use and discharge, waste and spills.

Getting HSSE Right

Our stated long-term HSSE goals, in line with BP group policy, are no accidents, no harm to people and no damage to the environment. The health and safety of our employees, and those who come into contact with our operations and the products we transport, is a top priority for us. So, too, is protection of the marine environment. Everyone who works for BP Shipping is responsible for getting HSSE right.

The challenge is to achieve these goals while continuing to deliver energy products that support growth and social development around the world. The BP group document ‘Getting HSSE Right’ provides a clear framework for the achievement of consistent HSSE performance. In addition we have HSSE management systems and processes in place to help us achieve our objectives.

This framework provides a broad-based set of expectations integrated into 13 elements of accountability. The management systems consist of the people and integrated processes that meet these expectations. BP assesses whether BP Shipping has met these HSSE expectations through a regular review process that includes risk assessments and risk management programmes, peer reviews and self-assessments and reviews of performance indicators against agreed targets.

International Safety Management

All BP ships are operated in accordance with the International Safety Management (ISM) Document of Compliance. Every decision BP Shipping makes - each project, each modification to a vessel, each change of procedures - is influenced by the ISM system.