Sustainable shipping

“For more than 100-years, Oldendorff has remained adaptive to change and true to our employees and clients. Our family inspired culture drive both our business ethics and our ESG priorities. This includes proactive environmental stewardship, a strong aim for diversity, and a steadfast respect for human rights. Oldendorff is committed to an ambitious decarbonisation trajectory towards sustainable levels in all aspects.”

Patrick Hutchins, CEO Oldendorff Carriers

Regulation Review

As part of our engagement with the shipping industry, we have done in-depth research on the IMO's new Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) regulations (MARPOL Annex VI, Regulation 28). We have determined that the regulations will not help the environment and may in many cases actually lead to higher emissions.

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Steps we are taking

Global Investment

In the last 8 years we have invested over $4 billion in about 100 Eco bulk carriers. Our objective is to continually reduce our fuel consumption and minimize our CO2 emissions

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Industry Focus

We are solely focused on the bulk carrier segment of the shipping industry. We own and charter about 700 bulk carriers at any time.

Pioneering Spirit

As we strive to meet the challenges of achieving environmental targets, our Pioneering Spirit is in full gallop mode. Our Innovation and Sustainability teams are investigating a broad array of ideas to help us meet and exceed future regulations.

Our Eco-Ships

Our Innovative Mindset

We view our people as our greatest assets. All of our approximately 4,500 employees are challenged to look for ways to improve our carbon footprint and provide our shipping services in a more environmentally friendly manner.

Our Innovation and Newbuilding Department is continually looking for the best hardware solutions to improve the environmental footprint of our ships.

Our Global Engagement and Sustainability Team is collaborating with many different organisations and entities to listen, learn and share to find the best ways forward. The risks of making wrong decisions on sustainability issues, due to insufficient research or understanding, is more significant now than it has ever been.

Find vessels, people & locations using Finder Click finder to search our global teams

Owned Fleet & New Buildings

The owned fleet of Oldendorff Carriers is a modern fleet of about 110 bulk carriers. Many of the vessels were built or modified with fuel saving devices including: Becker Mewis Ducts and rudder bulbs, most of our vessels have long stroke engines and auxiliary engine economizers, to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. In addition, we have fitted 95% of our vessels with Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems which significantly reduce black carbon and sulphur emissions into the atmosphere.

Owned Fleet & New Buildings

The owned fleet of Oldendorff Carriers is a modern fleet of about 110 bulk carriers. Many of the vessels were built or modified with fuel saving devices including: Becker Mewis Ducts and rudder bulbs, most of our vessels have long stroke engines and auxiliary engine economizers, to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. In addition, we have fitted 95% of our vessels with Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems which significantly reduce black carbon and sulphur emissions into the atmosphere.

ECHO

Oldendorff Carriers proudly participates in the Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program, a regional collaborative initiative led by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority to reduce the impacts of commercial shipping on at-risk whales. Since 2017, we have been slowing down while transiting through key foraging areas of the endangered southern resident killer whales - helping to measurably reduce underwater noise and create: #QuieterOceansForHealthierWhales.

Research & Collaboration

In our quest to make our vessels more economical and environmentally friendly, Oldendorff Carriers has signed a multi-year research agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Center for Bits and Atoms (CBA). Oldendorff, together with CBA and its campus collaborators including MIT’s Sea Grant Program, is investigating morphing structures, hydrodynamic cloaking, moving boundary layers, and alternative energy sources. Our objective in researching disruptive improvements in ship design and propulsion, is to help achieve the IMO and EU’s, Greenhouse Gas reduction requirements.

Oldendorff Carriers is also involved in a high-profile Green Corridor project. We are one of the founding partners of the West Australia – East Asia Iron Ore Green Corridor project, established in April 2022, together with Starbulk, Rio Tinto, BHP and Global Maritime Forum. The consortium partners are assessing the feasibility for deploying zero emission vessels on this major iron ore trade route. The focus is on green ammonia as a zero emission marine fuel, a renewable hydrogen based future fuel without any carbon content. Australia has a favorable geographical location for the production of renewable hydrogen and green ammonia.

Another part of the project is assessing the feasibility of establishing ammonia bunkering infrastructure in West Australia in order for bunkering operations to potentially take place at the load ports area, benefitting from the favorable regional ammonia production outlook. Since ammonia burning engines are not yet commercially available, as well as the many other hurdles to overcome, it is clear that this ambitious project has a long term outlook.

Sustainable Development Goals

At Oldendorff, we strive for operational excellence and closely align our business operations with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Click on the SDG’s below for more information

Our Global Partners

Collaborating with others is a valuable way in which to learn and share experiences so we are active members of a variety of leading associations driving sustainability in our industry.

We work with governments and authorities to make sure our voice is heard, and that our influence adds value.

Getting to Zero Coalition

An initiative of the Global Maritime Forum The Coalition is committed to getting commercially viable deep sea zero emission vessels powered by zero emission fuels into operation by 2030. Oldendorff actively participates and contributes knowledge to the Fuels & Technologies Workstream.

The Center for Bits and Atoms

We signed a research agreement with MITs Center for Bits and Atoms (CBA) in 2019 Together we are investigating various disruptive improvements in ship design and propulsion to achieve the IMO and EU's GHG reduction requirements Research areas include morphing structures, hydrodynamic cloaking, moving boundary layers, and alternative energy sources.

Clean Shipping Alliance

As founding members of this cross-sectoral alliance, we advocate for the better and wider acceptance of emission abatement technology, the details of which are often misunderstood CSA provides science-based information and actively and regularly engages with maritime and environmental authorities around the world.

BIMCO Marine Environment Committee

We are founding members of the Marine Environment Committee. Typical agenda items include reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, biofouling management and ballast water management.

OTPCO

The taskforce's mission is to optimize the ship-port interface with an open and pragmatic problem-solving agenda. At the heart of the project, is combining shipping and port services by improving quality and availability of master and event data which will deliver benefits to stakeholders while lowering GHG emissions.

Methanol Institute

Methanol is a clean-burning, biodegradable fuel. Increasingly, methanol's environmental and economic advantages are making it an attractive alternative fuel for powering ships. Oldendorff Joined as a member in 2021 to learn more about methanol and assess the overall feasibility of powering our vessels with this promising energy source.

The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network

The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network works to eliminate all forms of maritime corruption by; raising awareness of the challenges faced; implementing Anti-Corruption Principles and co-developing best practices; collaborating with stakeholders to identity and mitigate root causes of corruption and creating a culture of integrity within the maritime community.

Ammonia Energy Association

Oldendorff Carriers are members of the AEA which promotes the use of ammonia in a sustainable energy economy. Oldendorff joined as a member in 2022 to better understand the feasibility of powering our vessels with this clean energy in the future.

 
Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping

The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping is an independent, non-profit R&D center dedicated to decarbonizing global shipping. It unites top minds in science, engineering, and business from worldwide organizations to fast-track the development and adoption of new energy systems and technologies.

Green Corridor

Oldendorff is partner with BHP, Rio Tinto, Star Bulk Carriers and the Global Maritime Forum to jointly assess what is required to facilitate a viable green corridor on the Australia to East Asia, iron ore trade route.

 

Our Awards

Green4Sea Dry Bulk Operator Award 2024 for leadership in promoting sustainability

Blue Circle Award Winner 2023

Blue Circle Award Winner 2022

Safety4Sea - Crew Welfare Dry Bulk Operator Award (for focusing on crew welfare, supporting social life onboard) 2022

Neptune Awards - The most Devoted Sustainability Promoter of the Year 2019

International Bulk Journal - Bulk Ship Operator of the Year 2019

Green Environmental Achievement Award- Port of Long Beach Voluntary Vessel  Speed Reduction Program 2019

Handelskammer Hamburg Best Shipping Training Apprentice Award - 2017

International Bulk Journal - Bulk Ship Operator of the Year 2017

Largest Donation to Mercy Ships Cargo Day 2016

Bimco Shipping Company of the Year 2015

Excellence in Manpower Training and Development Award - Singapore International Maritime Awards 2015

Green Environmental Achievement Award- Port of Long Beach Voluntary Vessel  Speed Reduction Program

Recognition of commitment to Maritime Training and partnership with The University of Trinidad and Tobago

Blue Circle Award Winner 2015

Handelskammer Hamburg Best Shipping Training Apprentice Award - 2015

2015 Marine Money Deal of the Year Award

The Oldendorff Carriers Whistleblower System

Oldendorff Carriers is committed to provide an environment where Oldendorff Carriers’ standards and best practices are encouraged and safeguarded. The Oldendorff Carriers Whistleblower System provides safe access to reporting existing or potential violations of law and regulations, policies and guidelines, or other serious irregularities. The reporting can be done anonymously, or by name.

The Oldendorff Carriers Whistleblower System can be used by any person related to Oldendorff Carriers’ business environment. This includes its employees, auditors, consultants, suppliers, customers, employees onboard Oldendorff Carriers owned or operated vessels and other business partners.