The International Refrigerated Transportation Association (IRTA) named Maersk Sealand the recipient of its Executive of the Year award as part of the American Frozen Food Institute-Global Cold Chain Alliance (AFFI-GCCA) Food Logistics Forum in Lake Tahoe NV recently.
This annual award recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to the industry by fostering innovation, resolving industry issues, or improving the industry’s image and efficiency.
Typically, the award is presented to an individual, but this year for the first time, the IRTA board of directors elected to recognize an entire company—Maersk Sealand—for excellence in refrigerated transportation.
Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, Maersk Sealand is a steamship line with a fleet of more than 500 vessels and containers corresponding to more than 1.9 million TEUs. With about 325 offices in more than 125 nations, it serves customers worldwide.
Maersk Sealand serves as an example of sustainability in marine shipping. The company continuously works to reduce fuel consumption and emission of greenhouse gases from its vessels. By focusing on engine design, optimization of ventilation systems, efficient hull and propeller maintenance, and research projects involving fuel cells and alternative energy sources, the company already has reduced its carbon footprint in the past decade.
The company is also a leader in the fight against piracy, testifying before the US Congress on the threat piracy poses to seafaring and international trade. With its own “situation room” in west central Asia and cooperation with civilian and military intelligence, it is closely monitoring piracy in the Gulf of Aden. Maersk Sealand has a set of best practice policies and procedures for ensuring the safety of its crews and vessels.
