Continuing its longtime commitment to eco-friendly practices, Crowley’s Puerto Rico liner services group has joined the SmartWay Transport Partnership, an innovative collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and industry that provides a framework to assess the environmental and energy efficiency of moving goods through the supply chain.
As a SmartWay Partner, Crowley can benchmark environmental performance of its barges and tugs providing service to Puerto Rico by tracking emissions on a ton-mile basis, or how much was emitted for each ton moved one mile, as well as continuing the company’s actions to protect and respect the environment in communities it serves.
“Just as Crowley strives to give customers high-performing, dependable service, our mariners and shore-side crews work every day to protect the environment of the waters and communities where we operate,” said Cole Cosgrove, Crowley vice president, marine operations. “The partnership provides resources that will continue Crowley’s commitment to being stewards of the environment in Puerto Rico, which we have served for more than 60 years.”
Crowley’s Puerto Rico liner services group joins the company’s logistics and trucking groups as participants in the SmartWay partnership.
“By participating in this partnership, we continue to enhance our ability to track emissions using well-established platforms and to consistently report on performance efficiency to our customers. Performance monitoring, improvement and customer service are key facets of Crowley’s environmental strategy,” said Dan Smith, Crowley’s environmental director.
Crowley will contribute to the partnership’s goal of saving 170.3 million barrels of oil, $24.9 billion in fuel costs, 72.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), 1.5 million tons of nitrogen oxides, and 59,000 tons of particulate matter. This is equivalent to eliminating annual energy use in more than 6 million homes. Carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas, and nitrogen oxide is an air pollutant that contributes to smog.
Developed jointly in early 2003 by EPA and industry stakeholders, environmental groups, American Trucking Association, and BSR (Business for Social Responsibility), this innovative program was launched in 2004. Partners rely upon SmartWay tools and approaches to track and reduce emissions and fuel use from cargo movement. The partnership currently has more than 3,000 partners including shippers, logistics companies, and truck, rail, barge, and multimodal carriers. For information about the SmartWay Transport Partnership visit www.epa.gov/smartway.
Joining the partnership follows recent awards and initiatives supporting environmental sustainability by Crowley. In November, 97 Crowley-owned or managed vessels received Certificates of Environmental Achievement from the Chamber of Shipping of America, honoring companies for operating vessels without any environmental incidents, such as reportable spills or port citations. Crowley also is now a member of the Clean Cargo Working Group, a global, business-to-business initiative dedicated to reducing the environmental impacts of global goods transportation and promoting responsible shipping.
