The Environment

Care for the environment is one of our core values and forms an integral part of our business planning. Prosafe’s goal is zero accidental discharges to the sea and zero accidental emissions to the air, which is in line with our principles for sustainable development.

Prosafe owns and operates a fleet of accommodation vessels that supports installations in the offshore oil and gas industry. The oil and gas industry is an industry with a strong focus on protecting the natural environment.

National authorities require companies operating in their waters to demonstrate compliance with strict rules and regulations. In addition to complying with national laws, Prosafe has internal policies and guidelines for risk management based on international standards.

Environmental management

Prosafe’s goal is zero accidental discharges to the sea and zero accidental emissions to the air, which is in line with our principles for sustainable development. Prosafe actively pursues and commit to reducing direct emissions from our vessel operations in collaboration with our clients and respective industry body organisations.

Prosafe produces Environmental Impact Assessments for each of the vessels the Company manages or operates. The assessments take into account the mode of operation of the vessel together with generic geographical considerations. Local assessments are typically performed with the clients who will usually be operating under the terms of an operator’s permit.

Moreover, the Company cooperates actively with customers and suppliers to set in-house goals, make continuous improvements to its own routines and shape attitudes towards protecting the natural environment from pollution by its operations. All accidental discharges and emissions are reported and followed up in the same way as injuries and material damage.

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions

Prosafe calculates the emissions of CO2, CO, NOx, SO2, CH4 and VOC for the fleet based on the fleet’s diesel consumption.  Prosafe’s fleet carries low sulphur marine diesel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.1%, thereby exceeding the requirement within MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14.1 prohibiting the carriage of fuel oil with sulphur content exceeding 0.5%.

It is important to note that the amount of diesel consumed, and thereby also the amount of emissions, will vary largely depending on:

• the number of vessels being operated throughout the year
• the fleet utilisation (i.e. the amount of time that the vessels have been operating)
• the vessels’ operation mode – dynamic positioned (DP) vessels maintain their position by means of thrusters and will therefore use far more diesel and thereby also have substantial higher emissions, than vessels that maintain station by moorings

Reducing our ecological footprint

The Company is seeking solutions to reduce emissions in order to reduce its impact upon the environment. Environmental considerations are an important aspect when planning vessel refurbishments and upgrades, e.g. when shifting to more fuel efficient equipment and by continuous improvement in operating procedures.

Prosafe cooperates with clients and authorities to reduce the impact of its operations on the natural environment. An example of this is a contract where Prosafe receives incentives when the daily diesel consumption is reduced.

The Company’s vessels have International Air Pollution Prevention (IAPP) certificates, International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) certificates and International Sewage Pollution Prevention (ISPP) certificates. These certificates are all issued under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and are subject to periodic survey.

Prosafe continues to high-grade its fleet by scrapping the eldest and most inefficient vessels at certified ship recycling yards.

Spills

The Company’s vessels take proactive measures to mitigate the potential for any spills and regularly conduct exercises to test its Oil Prevention Emergency Response & Spill contingency plans.

Responsible recycling

Prosafe continues to high-grade its fleet by selling the oldest and most inefficient vessels for recycling at certified ship recycling yards. Seven old vessels have been sold for recycling since mid-2016.

In all cases, Prosafe will adhere to relevant conventions (2009 Hong Kong Convention, 1989 Basel Convention), always adopt best practise, provide financial guarantees and appoint independent recycling yard representation where necessary, until the asset is completely recycled, and conduct extensive diligence when recycling of any asset.

Use of chemicals and hazardous substances

Prosafe has an approved Chemicals list that is based on a risk assessment matrix and hierarchy of controls. All chemical and hazardous substances are subject to an evaluation which identifies a ‘Hazard Categorisation’ to the substance.

The categorisation of the product takes consideration of the impact and effect the substance may have on health and the natural environment. Substances are assigned either a High, Medium or Low category for the representative hazard to health and the environment. The Hazard categorisations are maintained and updated within the Company’s online chemical management system (CMS – SYPOL).

Where High Hazard chemicals are identified, it is general practice for Prosafe to seek to substitute these chemicals with lower Hazard chemicals.

The Company continues to conduct further evaluations to identify safer/greener substitutes in for current high/ medium risk substances.

Waste management

When a Prosafe vessel operates alongside an offshore installation, it will come under the umbrella of the host installation’s operating permits. Prosafe and its client’s management systems are cross-referenced within interface documents, and responsibilities are clearly defined.

All Prosafe vessels are subject to MARPOL requirements and have implemented a waste management system that is documented in the Garbage Management Manual. The plan includes assessments of all potential waste products originating on board together with the requirements for waste segregation for transportation ashore.

Prosafe manages waste produced locally whilst monitoring third party’s waste disposal  performance.

Ballast water

Ballast water management for the Company’s vessels is controlled within the confines of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulation.

Prosafe’s vessels have International Ballast Water Management (IBWM) certificates. These certificates are all issued under the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship’ Ballast Water and Sediments and are subject to periodic survey. There has not been any accidental or non-regulatory release of ballast water.

Discharge of sewage

The discharge of sewage is controlled within the confines of IMO regulation. All vessels within the fleet have been subject to International Sewage Pollution Prevention (ISPP) surveys and have been issued certification in accordance with MARPOL Annex IV by the relevant Flag.