Green Waves: The IMPA SAVE Initiative Transforming Maritime Procurement
In this in-depth Q&A, we engage with Mikael Karlsson, Chairman of IMPA Save, and Stephen Alexander, COO of IMPA, to uncover the strides IMPA SAVE is making toward sustainable maritime procurement. They share insights on driving the industry towards eco-friendly solutions, the challenges encountered, and the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving environmental goals. This dialogue highlights the critical work of IMPA SAVE under the leadership of Mikael and Stephen, showcasing their commitment to a greener maritime future.
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Innovation in Procurement: How is IMPA SAVE innovating in the field of sustainable maritime procurement, and what impact do you foresee these innovations having on the industry?
IMPA SAVE was started on a need for action, to do the right thing. We are not innovating so to say, but rather bringing solutions to light, by presenting “innovative” solutions to our industry that better our environmental footprint, and reduce cost too. We have engaged the SAVE pledge in removing single-use items in the maritime Supply Chain, exchanging detergents and chemicals with alternative onboard made solutions, recycling of ropes deemed as waste. (Mikael says)
If we define innovation as something novel AND useful then IMPA SAVE is achieving this, first by something novel or let’s say NEW then the collaboration achieved by so many (now over 100 in the industry) coming together with a shared purpose is perhaps something not seen in the industry hitherto, adding to the fact that this group is highly useful – we are making genuine change and impacting procurement decision making at both major ship owners and managers and with suppliers. (Stephen says)
I think in every change there is a risk-element, and we are an industry that has safety first at our core. Our first pledge to reduce the use of packaged plastic drinking water onboard ships by producing water onboard, was associated with risk, but was put to rest fairly easy with the latest solutions that are available on the market to produce water onboard. The various systems were all tested by several renowned shipowners, all presented on the IMPA SAVE website. However, a lot of time is invested in the journey for many of the pledging shipowners, the due diligence is really well done. (Mikael says)
There was a challenge with communication – first to crew and then to the traditional procurement mindset that considers saving money to be the first priority. IMPA SAVE is about achieving cost savings alongside saving cost to the planet. People, Planet, Profit, Purpose is the IMPA SAVE mantra. But changing thinking is the biggest challenge to overcome in the journey of sustainability. (Stephen says)
Strategy for Carbon Reduction: Could you elaborate on the specific strategies IMPA SAVE employs to reduce carbon emissions in the maritime sector?
It is no secret that the big emitter is fuel, and where you see most owners making changes which are significant. IMPA SAVE represents a smaller part of the emission picture, some might say droplets in comparison, however emissions reduction with immediate impact. We had the company ReFlow do and Life Cycle Assessment on packaged water to be consumed onboard vs. producing water onboard. It was found that the total emission of the water filtration unit equals the use of 354 half-litre PET bottles. Now, thinking ships consume +12,000 litres onboard… Well, no strategy needed, just do it. (Mikael says)
Measuring Impact: How does IMPA SAVE measure and track the impact of its carbon reduction initiatives in the maritime industry?
We ask pledgers to submit the reduction every six months, and compile the information to keep track of progress. We also ask the pledging suppliers about their sales of water in plastic, which numbers are concerning. (Mikael says)
Plastic Elimination Goals: What inspired the ambitious goal of eliminating single-use plastic water bottles onboard the global fleet by 2025, and how close are you to achieving this target?
I was inspired by two documentaries “Drowning in plastic” by Liz Bonnin and “Plastic Ocean ” by Jo Ruxton. In a few hours I was made aware of a growing problem with plastic in our oceans and the risk it represents. I simply decided to show support for change at the time, not having IMPA SAVE in scope. I had conversations with various people involved in Ocean Conversation, I learned about communities doing beach cleanup and other actions. Right there it appeared to me we can’t keep cleaning up, we must stop consuming, using, discarding so it does not end up in our ocean or beaches. Water on ships is a top 3 item to be consumed onboard. This caused me to engage with likeminded people in our industry and IMPA SAVE became what it is today, which is really a team effort where my Board have applied themselves and engaged their respective companies to change.” (Mikael says)
As Mikael said, so many environmental TV programs and Ocean Studies and then you ask yourself well should I do something? Maybe I can’t, I’m only a small part of this etc. etc. BUT I have realised working with IMPA SAVE there are a LOT of people in the maritime supply chain asking the same question!
Motivation for IMPA SAVE creation – we have been discussing the environmental issues surrounding procurement within IMPA for many years and have been active in CSR with the work we undertook in 2011 and beyond for the creation of the IMPA ACT program (a world first in responsible supply chain management) single-use plastic has been a concern for some time. We lacked the ability to create momentum which is where Mikael had the vision, network, drive and energy to make it happen.” (Stephen says)
Impact on Ocean Health: Can you share some insights on the tangible impacts that IMPA SAVE’s efforts have had on ocean conservation and plastic pollution reduction?
I want to believe we gather people and have created a platform for solutions to appear at our events or webinars. Solutions that challenge conventional thinking and drive innovation and save cost. I mentioned earlier the emission impact on the water filtration system vs. bottled water. Every ship owner that buys bottled water will over a year likely buy a minimum 12,000 bottles of water. So for every 1000 ships we have pledged to IMPA SAVE we would have reduced 12 million bottles, just imagine the waste that brings, and the impact. (Mikael says)
Industry Collaboration: How does IMPA SAVE foster collaboration among different stakeholders in the maritime industry to achieve environmental goals?
We have over the years been speaking with BIMCO and given our insight to how they can front the IMPA SAVE pledge. We are engaged with the UK Chamber of Shipping and speaking to other organisations to spread the word and engaging with publications like yours to make companies aware there is some good to be done. (Mikael says)
With the IMPA events portfolio, Mikael and the IMPA SAVE team are working hard to fly the flag and present the case studies, issues and present the facts around making a change for good. This year we will develop a new series of podcasts and webinars that will help bring people together to debate the various issues where we can come together as a group and make collaborative change. (Stephen says)
Encouraging Industry Participation: What strategies does IMPA SAVE use to encourage more companies and organisations in the maritime sector to join your environmental initiatives?
As mentioned, we are talking to BIMCO, UKCS, and others to help get the word out to our industry that there is a straightforward action to take. I have personally been speaking at events, fronting our pledge to gain support and impact change. Other members of the IMPA SAVE board have done the same. (Mikael says)
We have an active communications program, and we are truly seeing the benefit of a global network in sharing ideas – webinars, etc., as above. (Stephen says)
Significance of the ESG Champion Award: How significant was receiving the 2023 ESG Champion Award at CrewConnect for IMPA SAVE, and what does this recognition mean for your future endeavours?
I did not see that coming. I was invited to speak at CrewConnect in Manila, giving me a different audience, but afterward, I was approached by several people thanking IMPA SAVE for fronting this initiative, and had new pledgers come from the event. It was great to receive the award on behalf of my team, and also great to be acknowledged for doing this. (Mikael says)
Visibility and Impact: How has the visibility from awards and recognitions like the ESG Champion Award impacted IMPA SAVE’s ability to influence change in the maritime industry?
Difficult to say. When it was published on social media, I received many congratulations for the achievement. In reality, this achievement is for all the companies that have pledged to IMPA SAVE, and that have taken action to change, and likely influenced others to do the same. What started as a drop is now a small stream that I hope will become a river when all shipowners have applied their ships to do the right thing. (Mikael says)
Moving forward… we seek as much awareness as we can generate. By sharing ideas and gathering people together we can achieve more. (Stephen says)
