NYK has been recognized for the company’s participation in the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies vessel speed reduction (VSR) incentive program along the West Coast of North America conducted by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.* NYK achieved the gold tier for a third consecutive year and received an incentive of US$10,000 for the company’s fleet traveling at 10 knots or less for at least 50% of the VSR zones.

To protect whales and cut air pollution, this program encourages voluntary vessel speed reduction in the Santa Barbara Channel region and the San Francisco Bay area. For about six months from May 15, 2020, the program’s partners analyzed each participating company’s automatic information system (AIS) data and evaluated the company’s adherence to the request that vessels transit at 10 knots or less through the VSR zones.

The US$10,000 incentive has been donated by NYK to World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in the United States, ** a conservation organization, and will be used for environmental activities, including climate change countermeasures.

On February 3, NYK released the NYK Group ESG Story,*** which aims to further integrate ESG into the company’s management strategy and promotes activities that contribute to the achievement of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) through business activities. To strongly promote ESG management, the NYK Group will encourage new value creation as a sustainable solution provider through a business strategy that includes participation in programs such as this to contribute to the achievement of better seas through preservation of the marine environment and biodiversity, which are closely related to our business.

* National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

** World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

*** NYK Group ESG Story
A guideline detailing concrete efforts to integrate ESG into management strategies of the NYK Group. Details can be found in the related press release.