Yang Ming and Azure Alliance Partnership in Ocean Cleanup on “World Oceans Day”

Driven by a strong sense of commitment to protecting the ocean, Yang Ming is in fulfilling its corporate social responsibility apart from employing proactive management and preventive measures to achieve this end. On June 8, the “World Oceans Day,” the Company joined hands with the Azure Alliance on a cleanup program using the latter ’s “Marine Vacuum Cleaner.” This is a long-term endeavor dedicated to removal of marine garbage and assisting local harbors in establishing a floating garbage cleanup program. About 80% of the garbage in the ocean comes from the land, accounting for an estimated yearly seaward influx of 8-12 million tons. While garbage on the beach can be easily cleaned, drifting litters on the surface of water are harder to remove. The garbage long accumulated in the harbors is mostly carried toward the sea through oceanic currents or wind. This in the long run is causing irrevocable damage to marine environment and dwindling biodiversity. Marine environment protection is among the top priorities of the Company’s sustainable development. To this end, Yang Ming is actively implementing ship sewage management while facilitating comprehensive monitoring of ballast water and installment of fleet ballast water treatment system. Our ships are coated with the newest tin-free and anti-fouling paint and waste reduction is strictly observed on board. These are part of the Company’s perennial effort in the protection of the marine ecology. This latest partnership with Azure Alliance kicked off at the Bitou Fishing Port, using the Marine Vacuum Cleaner to transform a one-off cleanup event into a regular, long-term effort. Each cleaner is able to remove 200 kilos of ocean garbage per day, effectively stopping a seaward trashy influx of 52 tons every year. This is using smart technology to reduce garbage in the ocean. The push for sustainability requires participation by each and every member of the Yang Ming family. All employees are invited to partake in the ocean cleanup program at scheduled hours and take training sessions conducted by Azure Alliance’s professional lecturers. These sessions incorporate hands-on experience where participants can learn about the cleaner’s operation, pick up trash in person, understand marine ecology, and increase awareness of the seriousness concerning drifting ocean garbage. The activities are designed to build a stronger sense of environmental sustainability among colleagues and ultimately encourage collaborative effort in the creation of a more sustainable and azure future along Taiwan’s coastlines. 
Yang Ming’s Chairman Cheng Cheng-Mount (right) and Azure Alliance CEO Chen Szu-ying (left) putting a bespoke logo sticker on the Marine Vacuum Cleaner