Thursday October 5, 2023
AVRAMAR, a leading company in the food industry, as the world’s largest producer of high-quality Mediterranean fish, has made a significant move towards environmental responsibility by retiring 11 old vessels and replacing them with 12 environmentally friendly ones. The main characteristics of the new vessels are higher cargo transportation capabilities combined with reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and the usage of sustainable construction materials such as Polyethylene and aluminum. In addition to reducing the environmental footprint due to reduced fuel consumption, the new eco-friendly vessels also reduce maintenance costs. The total investment for this transformation which amounts to approximately 4.2 million euros, commenced in 2022 and was completed this year, aligning AVRAMAR’s business strategy and it’s dedication to environmental responsibility.
The construction and design of the new eco-friendly vessels is also in line with the EU Regulation 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and Council, of 30 June 2021, which establishes a framework with the aim of achieving climate neutrality. More specifically, Article 4 of the Regulation states that “In order to achieve the goal of climate neutrality by 2030, the domestic reduction of net greenhouse gas emissions must be at least 55% compared to 1990 levels by in 2030”. Compared to the old vessels, AVRAMAR’s new eco-friendly fleet reduces the climate impact, in greenhouse gases (GHGs) by 75.2% and the company’s new vessels, based on the Regulation, can be characterized as “CNS-Climate Neutral Ships”.
Andrea Viken, AVRAMAR’s Sustainability Manager, commented on the company’s environmental initiative, stating: “AVRAMAR’s commitment to retiring old vessels and embracing a new eco-friendly fleet is a testament to our dedication to environmental responsibility. By reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 75.2%, we are contributing to the EU target by setting a high standard for sustainable practices in the food industry. This initiative is a significant step towards a greener future and showcases our proactive approach in aligning our business strategy with environmental conservation.”
Giorgos Serepisos, CAPEX Manager, AVRAMAR and project manager of the project, stated: “In addition to the goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions, our company gains a comparative advantage regarding the operation and increase of the dynamics of our fleet, with a simultaneous reduction of our operating costs. Our goal is to develop our eco-friendly investments in the future so that we have a greater possibility of convergence with the European goal of achieving climate neutrality.”
Thor Talseth, Group CEO of AVRAMAR commented on the company’s new eco-friendly fleet: “Our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint through the introduction of these environmentally friendly vessels aligns with European climate legislation and reflects our dedication to a sustainable future. AVRAMAR’s new eco-friendly fleet is not just a step towards climate neutrality; it’s a leap, with a 75.2% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which contributes to the EU’s target in achieving the goal of climate neutrality by 2030. We see this as an opportunity to protect our planet and enhance our operational efficiency and competitiveness. Our vision is clear: to lead with care by contributing further to EU’s ambitious goal of achieving climate neutrality.”