Living sustainability: Safety at sea

Article

Neste Oil’s commitment to sea safety is as old as the company itself. Neste Oil introduced its first double-hull tankers back in the 1970s, 20 years ahead of virtually everyone else. “There isn’t a shipping company in the Baltic who has invested as much in safety at sea as Neste Oil has. All our ships are fitted with the latest navigation equipment and our officers and crew receive regular training to keep them at the top of their game,” says the Captain of the Kiisla, Petteri Krigsman.

Training also makes use of the latest technology. This includes simulators based at Aboa Mare in Turku covering Finland’s southwest archipelago and the approaches to Porvoo, which are used to train personnel on navigating these particularly difficult waters. Training is continuous and land-based courses are supplemented by regular exercises at sea. “We carry out more emergency drills in one month at sea than we do on land in a year. We train for all possible types of emergency, from spills to fires.”

Responsible work practices are an integral part of Petteri’s daily life at sea. “My job as master is to ensure that everyone complies with all our regulations and guidelines – when we’re at sea and loading and unloading – and that everything takes place safety and efficiently.”