Page 24 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - SEPT 2025

Interview of the month

from 2022 to 2023 and a 7.16% reduc-
tion from 2021 to 2022, marking a 19.3%
decrease from 2021 to 2024 and show-
casing a consistent downward trend in
emissions. In terms of the social aspect of
ESG, Safe Bulkers has made significant
contributions: ten annual scholarships
for maritime studies abroad, a total of 20
scholarships valued at €5,000 each per
year, granted to students-cadets for the
duration of the 4-year Nautical Science
programme at the Cyprus Maritime
Academy, and several donations, includ-
ing a specialised search and rescue high-
speed craft to the Republic of Cyprus
for search and rescue operations in the
broader region. Furthermore, the reports
underline ongoing improvements to the
company’s governance framework, the
capstone of which is the establishment
of an ESG committee at the Board
of Directors level.
I am proud of the progress we have
made and the commitment our team has
shown to ESG initiatives. We have built
strong momentum, and I am confident
and charterers are now looking closely at that we will keep increasing our efforts
how shipowning and ship management and making an even bigger impact for all
companies drive progress towards their our stakeholders in the years to come.
ESG agenda, how they deliver on their
company purpose, and what the overall Do you believe that the increasing reg-
results and broader impacts of their ESG ulatory pressure for decarbonisa-
performance are. tion poses a threat to the long-term
At Safe Bulkers, we have integrated and viability of small and medium-sized
elevated our sustainable efforts across shipping companies, particularly
every aspect of our operations, contin- those with older fleets and limited
uously improving our ESG performance access to capital?
while creating long-term sustainable Today, the drive for decarbonisation is
value for our stakeholders. Each year, essential for the industry’s long-term
we release our annual Sustainability sustainability; however, it does come
Report to better inform our stakeholders with significant challenges, especially for
on our company’s approach and perfor- small and medium-sized shipping com-
mance on ESG matters. We are glad to panies – even more so for those running
announce that our 2024 Sustainability older fleets. There is no doubt that the
Report is already available on the com- transition can be financially demanding,
pany’s website, providing an insight into and not every company has the capital
the work and progress we have made needed for greener technology and fleet
over the past year. upgrades. Still, we see companies that
These annual reports reflect Safe Bulk- are effectively embracing changes and
ers’ steadfast commitment to trans- modernising, not only surviving but
parency and sustainability, detailing further expanding and securing a more
our actions across all ESG dimensions. advantageous position in the market.
On the environmental front, we have At the end of the day, each player in the
achieved a 6.09% annual reduction in industry runs their own business, with
carbon intensity, based on the Annual unique knowledge, assets, and data
Efficiency Ratio (AER), compared to to drive change and make a difference.
2023. This follows a 7.42% reduction Without support mechanisms like green

22 NX