Safe transportations

Neste transports, stores, and handles millions of tons of raw materials and refined products annually. All transportations, whether marine or inland, are taken care of by our logistic service providers. 

We manage safety in our logistics through selection and auditing of logistics service providers transporting or storing our cargo. Further, we ensure that our transport fleet is in appropriate condition, and that both our own and our suppliers’ employees know how to act safely in all situations at all times.

We set safety targets for our logistics service providers, and monitor their progress regularly. All safety incidents are reported and investigated.

We have separate transportation safety principles for road, rail, and marine transportations. We audit our transportation suppliers annually. Our safety management systems are additionally audited regularly by various authorities and many of our customers.

Road transport

Road transport safety is managed with a multi-level system. Our suppliers commit themselves to complying with our safety instructions and guidelines, as well as regular quality and safety audits. In addition to having agreements and guidelines in place, we conduct quarterly quality and safety discussions at terminals.

We discuss specific safety incidents, and support drivers’ daily decision making. Terminals rented are required to fulfill Neste’s minimum safety criteria and are subject to regular audits. 

Neste has its own road vehicle standard, the requirements of which exceed those specified in the Finnish regulation for road traffic. This standard regulates the characteristics we require of the hauliers that handle our transports. International standards similar to the one in Finland do not yet exist, but we continue gradually tightening the requirements we have set for our international suppliers to the level that exceeds regulatory requirements.

We measure road transportation safety with several indicators consisting from product management, delivery schedule, driving behaviour, traffic incidents, emissions and condition of trucks and loading places.

In addition to annual inspections, the fleet of our transport suppliers also undergoes a safety inspection (i.e. oil industry’s European Truck Safety Control). The inspection focuses specifically on the chassis and special structures of the tankers.

We work closely with the authorities, influencers, and decision makers, such as the police, as well as the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) in order to develop the safety of road transport operations towards safer and more harmonized direction.

In Finland, we have a crossover prevention system within our fuel station network. The system allows monitoring of grounding, the use of the vapor recovery system, and the correct connection of the overfill system during unloading. This improves the safety of unloading, and minimizes the risks and impact on the environment. 

Rail transport

We own and manage railway terminals in Finland, Tallinn and Riga. We are responsible for the maintenance and usability of the rail tracks we own at the terminals. Our safety management system covers those terminal operations of which we are responsible for. As required by Finnish railway legislation, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) has granted us a safety permit for our rail traffic.

In Finland, Neste’s rail transports are handled by VR Group. We audit VR Group’s safety practices and cooperate closely with the VR Group in safety-related matters, 
Our rail transports in Central Europe are handled by local suppliers. Safety is our shared responsibility. 

Marine transport

Neste Marine Risk Management Principle provides a framework for managing safety and environmental risks related to marine transportations. Marine transportation services used by Neste are provided by carefully selected third party vessel managers. Neste takes care of the commercial operation of its controlled fleet. We cooperate closely with our shipping partners and regularly audit them to ensure safety, quality, security and sustainability of all marine operations.

All seagoing vessels carrying Neste cargoes or calling Neste terminals are assessed against our minimum safety criteria and approved by Neste Marine Risk Management, an independent body within Neste ensuring the safety of marine transportations.

All vessels and vessel management companies are required to fulfill Neste’s minimum safety criteria (e.g. continuous SIRE inspection history, maximum age restrictions, double hull) and are subject to regular audits. Vessels operated in the Baltic Sea are also ice-strengthened and their crew’s have adequate experience from operations in cold conditions. 

Neste collaborates actively with authorities and rescue services, e.g., by taking part in salvage, safety, and oil spill recovery exercises.