"We had an accident in Tokyo Bay about eight years ago, which caused much inconvenience and damage," says Takao Kusakari, chairman of NYK Line. "In hindsight it was this event that triggered us to become serious when it comes to environmental issues."
The accident Kusakari refers to happened in July 1997, when the NYK's VLCC (very large crude carrier) Diamond Grace had an oil spill accident in Tokyo Bay.
"Over the last eight years we have worked extensively and hard to improve. We have accomplished perhaps 50 to 60 percent of what we would like to achieve. I would like to see us as the number one shipping company in the world with regards to safety and the environment," says Kusakari.
Heyerdahl award
Kusakari accepted the prestigious Heyerdahl award this year on behalf of NYK Line at an award ceremony in recognition of the company's impressive efforts and commitment to improve their environmental performance.
"Even though ships are environmentally much better than trucks and cars as means for transportation, we in the shipping industry are still consuming huge quantities of fuel. We have to reduce that consumption. And most important, following up our motto "Sail on Safety", we will try to realise one full year of operations without an accident," said Kusakari at the award ceremony in Tokyo.