By Anthony Nwachukwu
In its continued efforts at green environment, the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) Ship Management Limited (NSML) has achieved the Ecoport Port Environmental Review System (PERS) certification for the NLNG Bonny Terminal, making it the first certification of its kind in any port in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Ecoport PERS certification is the only port sector-specific environmental management standard, mainly achieved by leading ports/terminals globally, and the wholly-owned NLNG subsidiary, NSML, manages the Bonny Terminal.
NSML Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Abdukadir Ahmed, said the certification attested that the facilities and operations at NLNG’s Bonny Terminal comply with leading environmental management practices.
According to him, the certification shows the commitment of NSML and its parent company, NLNG, to green operations, which are friendly to the environment and reduce the company’s carbon footprint.
“Our operations are guided by our commitment to the environment, decarbonisation and ultimately sustainability,” a statement from the NLNG General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Andy Odeh, quoted Ahmed to say.
“This achievement tells the story of our conscious effort to secure the future and, at the same time, contribute to the development of the maritime sector in our country. For us at NSML, this is the new standard, and we shall not relent to maintain this certification.”
He added that the certification was earned through the proactive work by the NSML terminal management team in applying global standards in port/terminal environmental management and imbibing a culture of continuous improvement in port standards and operations.
More so, the milestone has conferred on NSML and NLNG a pioneer status, making them thought leaders in managing safe and environmentally friendly port and terminal operations in the region, he added.
NSML provides a wide range of maritime and shipping services, including manning, fleet management, training to terminal management, maritime consultancy and project management, among others.