Download Sustainability report 2022 / 2023 JR Shipping Group
Although we are not obligated to publish an ESG report currently, we believe it is critical to act and make progress in the field of ESG. We do realise that our first report will not meet future accounting standards yet, but it is a significant step in the right direction for us. Above all, we realise that there is still a lot of work to be done. Within our organisation, we are aware of this, and there is a high level of commitment to our ESG efforts at all levels.
Let’s get started
‘Our objective is to contribute to a sustainable shipping industry by setting the highest standards of environmental, social, and governance practices, to support creating a world of opportunities and wellbeing for generations to come.’
As a shipping company, we are proud to play a crucial role in the global economy. We realise, however, that realising prosperity and growth must be separated from negative impacts for people, communities, the planet, and all the resources we share. We are committed to ensuring that our operations are sustainable and responsible, and we believe that this is not only essential for our planet and future generations but for the long-term success of our business as well.
Our approach
We are committed to ensuring our operations and decisions align with our commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles. We strive to adopt a high standard of responsible business practices that support the health, safety, and well-being of our employees, client relations, maritime partners, communities, and the environment. We are dedicated to implementing policies and procedures that meet our ESG commitments and to reporting regularly on our progress in this area.
The SDG’s
JR Shipping is committed to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN). The Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals, are a set of seventeen interconnected goals intended to serve as a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future. We have aligned our sustainability priorities with the following goals: 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, and 17. Of these goals, goals 3 (Good health and well-being) 7 Affordable and clean energy), 13 (Climate action), and 14 (Life below water) are our main four priorities.
Our materiality
Our ESG strategy and prioritisation are founded on the concept of single materiality, which incorporates important standards, reporting, and ESG frameworks as well as feedback, input, and expectations from stakeholders. The process of the materiality assessment helped us gain insight into our priorities and our impact on various stakeholders, as the illustration below shows.
Our stakeholders
Thes five stakeholder groups were focused on when the ESG issues were determined.
| Stakeholder group | Stakeholder expectations | Engagement |
| Our Investors / bond holders | Our investors expect us to take a responsible and equitable stance when dealing with environmental, social, and governance risks and opportunities by maintaining fairness, impartiality, and transparency in our interactions with the market. | Investor interactions |
| Our employees | Our employees expect us to guarantee and assure their safety, to treat them with respect, and to be a good employer that they are proud to work for. | Daily interactions at the office Daily interactions between ships and the office |
| Our clients | Our clients expect us to operate in a secure way with integrity, honesty, and accountability. | Business interactions Partnerships |
| Our community or society | Our community expects us to take care of the environment we work in and stimulate engagement in the green transition. Our society outlines what is desirable in terms of leading by example and corporate behaviour. | Community initiatives Community partnerships |
| The authorities | The authorities expect us to comply with the regulations and expect us to lead and drive the transition to net zero emissions by 2050. | Bilateral engagement |
Environment, social & governance (ESG)
Environment – challenges and goals
‘We strive to create a culture of sustainability within JR Shipping. We believe that by taking a comprehensive and proactive approach to sustainability, we can help create a better and more sustainable future.’
The ESG policy of both JR Shipping and SeaZip Offshore Service focuses most on the ‘E’ of ‘Environment’. After all, while shipping is a crucial activity for global economic growth and prosperity, it also has a significant impact on the environment and climate.
Transitioning to cleaner fuel is challenging. Not only technically, but also financially. Making progress will necessitate huge investments, and the sector will require access to new sources of financing.
Nonetheless, our industry has an important responsibility to drastically reduce harmful emissions. Europe is committing to achieve carbon-neutral shipping by 2050. It is difficult to predict whether that is feasible (or affordable), but it’s a big wake-up call to act together.
Or rather: to intensify existing actions. Because a lot is currently taking place within the shipping industry, often visibly, but also behind the scenes. Powerful and collective efforts are being undertaken to achieve a radical transition that will result in cleaner shipping and a slowing of global warming.
Are these ambitions realistic and achievable? At JR Shipping, we are convinced that they are. We must! However, we believe that the path of gradual change is the only feasible one. Sustainability can only succeed if healthy operating results are guaranteed and if innovative revenue models are given sufficient opportunity. We are convinced that these opportunities will arise and that, gradually, the ambitions of the shipping industry can and will be achieved.
2022 – concrete steps
In 2022, our shipping company once again took proactive measures to reduce the emission of exhaust gasses from our container feeder vessels. The emphasis here is on reducing CO₂, but innovative solutions also focus on other emissions, as well as innovative solutions that reduce our negative impact on the biodiversity of the earth and marine & ocean life.
The social dimension – people first
‘We aim to provide a positive, healthy, safe, and inclusive environment for all our employees, where they feel valued and have opportunities to grow.’
JR Shipping and SeaZip Offshore Service offer both seafarers and professionals ashore an honest, open, and reliable working environment in which everyone is allowed to be themselves and diversity is natural. For our seafarers, maximising safety at sea is our top priority. We work in an international, informal culture – with an emphasis on personal responsibility and flexibility for a healthy work-life balance.
Our vessels primarily sail under the Dutch flag, so our seafarers are subject to Dutch labour law and have the assurance of correct remuneration and solid social security. We permanently invest in an open, inclusive, and healthy working atmosphere in which everyone has a say. Our proactive HR policy works, as employee turnover at JR Shipping is minimal.
Governance – open in business
‘At JR Shipping, we value professional, transparent, and fair business relationships. We strive to be a reliable and honest partner to all our clients, upholding the highest standards of integrity and trustworthiness.’
In terms of good governance, we believe that tight control processes and transparency are crucial for the continuity and reputation of our organisation, as well as the service we provide to our customers and the interests of our stakeholders. Our shipping company has been centred around these principles for a long time. We quickly respond to new developments to keep up with them if new insights require us to.
We subscribe to the ESG principle that companies only have the right to exist and have prospects if there is visible evidence of honest and correct management. Far-reaching policy decisions are systematically evaluated by both internal and external stakeholders. Financial transactions are systematically monitored and periodically charted by an external firm.
Our financial reports meet high standards, and our communication with investors and financiers is frequent, transparent, and correct. Regular audits take place to test and – where necessary – improve our procedures and systems. The managing owners of JR Shipping are personally committed to open and honest business based on trust and reciprocity.
We recognise the importance of the upcoming Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) reporting standards and are taking proactive steps to ensure that we will be compliant with the new regulations. With our first sustainability report, we took a first step. We kindly invite you to learn more about our ESG ambitions and goals by downloading our report. There are more to follow, and we will keep you updated.
Download Sustainability report 2022 / 2023 JR Shipping Group