Hapag-Lloyd receives DNV Excellence 5 Star Award for continuous compliance

Classification society DNV has awarded Container shipping line Hapag-Lloyd the DNV Excellence 5 Star Award for its use of international management systems to enhance its quality, safety, and environmental standards. Hapag-Lloyd was the first container shipping line to be certified with the Award in 2007 and has maintained compliance ever since.

Through the implementation of international management system standards, shipping companies not only adhere to international legal requirements, but when innovatively and conscientiously utilized, can be used to continuously optimize and enhance the safety, environmental compatibility and operational performance of their ships. The DNV Excellence 5 Star Award recognizes shipping companies for using these systems to meet strategic goals and supporting the digital and energy transformation of the Maritime industry.

“We are delighted with the award and see it as recognition of the work we are doing to ensure sustainable and safe ship operations,” said Richard von Berlepsch, Managing Director Fleet Management at Hapag-Lloyd. “We have set ourselves the goal of being a good and reliable partner for our customers through our excellent quality management. This award shows us that we are on the right track.”

“We are very pleased to have been able to re-certify Hapag-Lloyd for continuous compliance with the DNV Excellence 5 Star Award,” said Torgeir Sterri, Senior Vice President and Regional Manager West Europe, DNV Maritime. “This shows their commitment to implementing a comprehensive approach which is designed to make the most of the management systems they have in place. It demonstrates that when used optimally, compliance with international management system standards adds real value to the strategic goals of an organization. We congratulate Hapag-Lloyd on going above and beyond and meeting the highest expectations in terms of sustainability and safety.”

The DNV Excellence 5 Star Award recognizes Hapag Lloyd’s utilization of their integrated Quality and Environmental Management System (ISO 9001 and ISO 14001), to:

  • Demonstrate commitment to optimizing processes, 
  • Reduce environmental risks associated with ship operation, thereby improving the availability and reliability of their vessels, and 
  • Show that they are using advanced management system standards and requirements to enhance the safety and security of their fleet.

The additional Green Star certificate highlights Hapag-Lloyd’s pro-active commitment to ship energy performance management and their Green Ship Recycling program, which includes:

  • Preparation of Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) Part I, II & III 
  • Selection of a green recycling shipyard 
  • Audit of a ship recycling facility before contract for recycling 
  • Active monitoring of the ship recycling process 
  • Implementation of a Ship Recycling Plan 
  • Completion of a Ship Recycling Report 
  • Issuance of Statement of Completion by the recycling facility

About the “DNV Excellence 5 Star Award”

In partnership with DNV, shipping companies can now document their commitment to comply with an wide range of international management system standards through the new “DNV Excellence 5 Star Award”, which provides an independent, third-party, proof of their commitment to a continuous improvement in quality, sustainability, occupational health & safety, and social responsibility.

The “DNV Excellence 5 Star Award”, follows the principles of the “DNV Excellence”” certification, which was first issued to shipping companies in 2007. With this newly developed standard, DNV aims to recognize shipping companies for utilizing the potential of their management system to meet strategic goals and supporting the digital and energy transformation of the Maritime industry.

In addition to using DNV’s ERS (Emergency Response Services) and MRV/DCS verification services, the “DNV Excellence 5 Star Award” certification can be obtained by meeting the demands of at least five internationally accepted management systems, e.g. ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001 ISM and ISPS Code and MLC, 2006.

The additional “Green Star” award highlights shipping companies who have committed to compliance with environmental regulations not yet in force, or concrete projects, which demonstrate that they are ahead of the regulatory curve in decarbonization- or ship recycling process.

Compliance with these high-quality standards is verified annually every year through audits. These can be harmonized with ISM to utilize synergies between the standards and minimize operational disruptions, with the result that a single audit can form the basis of multiple certificates.