Every day, Setaf-Saget’s ships have to adapt to an ever-changing and sensitive environment: the oceans and, in particular, the coastal regions of the world. The choice of which type of vessel to deploy, the procedures implemented for each and every operation, the employment of highly-trained and responsive crews and land-based services all play a part in minimising the impact on the environment.
Our chartered vessels obviously comply with the latest environmental regulations. The engines fitted on super handymax vessels boast low fuel consumption and, as far as air emissions are concerned, they remain well below the latest international standards (NOx & SOx¹). The Fructidor (the 55,000-tonne bulk carrier delivered by the end of 2005) possesses a double hull, rendering it far in advance of current requirements.
This vessel :
Setaf-Saget’s job may consist of transporting successive cargoes of coal, grain, cement or sugar on the same vessel. Consequently the holds must be thoroughly cleaned before each new load. To perform this, all vessels are, of particular note, fitted with high-pressure cleaning equipment. This makes the crew’s task much simpler and the use of chemicals and water required to a strict minimum. Where necessary, a Setaf-Saget Port Captain may supervise the operation at the specific point to ensure that it performs effectively and in compliance with environmental regulations, notably as far as discharge into the sea is concerned.
In February 2005, the M/V Messidor was unloading its cargo in Port Everglades (Florida). The dockers were transferring drums of diesel oil, needed for their handling equipment on board, using one of the vessel’s sinkers. A few litres of diesel oil spilled from a damaged drum onto the deck of the vessel and onto the surface water in the port.
The Messidor’s pollution control team responded within minutes of the incident occurring. All the diesel oil that had been spilled was recovered very quickly. The Commandant, applying the procedures in force, had also alerted the competent local authorities and the vessel’s managers on land.
This case of pollution, caused by personnel who were not members of the vessel’s crew, could, in accordance with local regulations, have led to a heavy fine for the vessel. A detailed inquiry was held into the event on the part of the technical manager, to identify the causes and the errors committed and to make the necessary corrections to procedures, which now cover this particular risk.