- Sustainability
Our roadmap to green
Our commitment to innovation and sustainability drives us towards zero-emission solutions, which not only helps us, but also our clients, in reaching their long-term sustainability goals.
We have committed to being the UK’s cleanest and most dedicated Service Operation Vessel (SOV) operator, aiming to operate a zero-emission SOV before 2030. This journey began in 2019 with the WaveMaster Zero C Project, funded by MarRI-UK, which sought to identify the best alternative fuel for next-generation SOVs through extensive feasibility studies.
As part of our commitment, we participated in Clean Maritime Demonstration Competitions 1, 2, and 4, culminating in the Zero Emission Vessel Infrastructure (ZEVI) Competition in 2023. Bibby Marine was awarded funding as the lead in a consortium to develop the world’s first truly net-zero Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (eCSOV).
- Our pledge
We have pledged to reduce our emissions in line with climate science with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). One of the first UK maritime companies to do so.
SBTi has classified Bibby Marine’s scope 1 and 2 target ambition as in line with a 1.5°C trajectory.
Overall Net-Zero Target: Bibby Marine Limited commits to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050
Near-term Targets: Bibby Marine Limited commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 42% by 2030 from a 2021 base year
Bibby Marine also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 42% within the same timeframe
Long-term targets: Bibby Marine Limited commits to reduce scope 3 GHG emissions 90% within the same timeframe
We are also signatories of COP26 and members of Operation Zero which promises clean Offshore Wind support vessels in the North Sea beyond 2025.
Roadmap to zero emissions
Today
Our eCSOV project was awarded £20 million under the Zero Emission Vessel and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition, in 2023. The Department for Transport awards funding to projects for the design and development of clean maritime solutions.
This project is a natural progression of our decarbonisation journey, to find the right solution to achieve our net zero goals. The project will strengthen and demonstrate the ability to build a vessel of this kind – in a market that will need at least 300 SOVs (in Europe alone) by 2050.
2022
Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition 2
We were delighted to be awarded funding under the Department for Transport’s, Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC2).
This funding allowed us to continue our research into the use of electrical batteries to power vessels, and how they are charged on and offshore.
2021
Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition 1
As part of a consortium, we were awarded funding under the Department for Transport, Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC1).
Following this award, we conducted a feasibility study to fully realise the zero emission (ZE) new-build and low emission (LE) retrofit options available to mid-to-large size vessels. Building on Bibby Marine’s existing MarRI-UK research and development project “WaveMaster Zero C”.
2019
WaveMaster Zero C Project
Our roadmap to green began in 2019 – the WaveMaster Zero C (WMZC) project aimed to determine which alternative fuel is best suited to the next generation of SOVs and similar sized vessels.
Led by Bibby Marine, in collaboration with a project team of marine industry leaders and supported through funding by MarRI-UK – the project waas funded via the Clean Maritime Call grant fund.
- The Green List
At Bibby Marine, sustainability is about creating a lasting impact in three vital areas: protecting our planet, supporting people, and ensuring the resilience of our business.
Here’s how we’re driving meaningful change to achieve these goals:
No.1
The eCSOV Project
We are building the world’s first truly net-zero, electric Commissioning Service Operation Vessel.
No.2
LED lighting
We are replacing all our traditional lighting on our vessels with LEDs, which last longer and are more durable.
No.3
Shore power
We have upgraded the barge switchboards in Netherlands to allow them to run on shore power for the next five to seven years.
No. 4
Energy-efficient infrared heaters on Bibby Progress
The reception area on Bibby Progress is heated using energy-efficient infrared panels, greatly reducing energy consumption.
No.5
Furniture recycling programme
Almost 3000 items of furniture were donated to local charities during upgrade works to two of our barges. That’s a lot of furniture, saved from landfill!
No.6
Industry body engagement
We are active on several safety and environmental committees, including at the UK Chamber of Shipping and IMCA. This helps us both implement and shape best practice.
No.7
Science Based Targets (SBTi)
We have established both near-term, and long-term targets, in order to guide our journey towards net zero emissions.
No. 8
Single-Use Plastics (SUPs)
We identified the following items that could be removed from our operations on board the WaveMaster vessels:
- Bottles of still and sparkling water
- Plastic coffee stirrers
- Plastic lids
- Plastic cups
- Plastic lunch boxes
In 2023 we purchased zero SUPs for our WaveMaster vessels.
No. 9
Ultra low-emissions cars
We operate a salary-sacrifice scheme, whereby our employees can purchase ULEVs tax-efficiently.
No. 10
World Environment Week Activity
We organise a volunteer day every year as part of Compass, for our colleagues to take part in an annual beach clean. In 2024 we opened it up to a ‘litter-picking’ competition so on and offshore colleagues could take part.
No. 11
Compass – Donate A Day
Every employee is encouraged to spend two days (paid) time out each year to give their time to a charity of their choice.
No. 12
No Moo Monday
Considering the greenhouse gas emissions of beef, we have ‘No moo Mondays’ on board our ships, where beef is off the menu.
No. 13
Laundry dosing machines and Eco cleaning products
We have installed laundry dosing equipment on our ships to minimise our detergent use. Where possible, we buy less environmentally damaging cleaning products for use on our vessels.
No. 14
Laptop “Zero to landfill” scheme
We use a ‘Zero-to-landfill’ contractor to handle disposal of our IT equipment.
No. 15
Cloud-based computing
We have embraced cloud computing across our ships and office, which is reducing our emissions compared with traditional computing methods.
No. 16
Digital twin (eCSOV project)
Computer modelling and AI will be integral to our new build vessels to ensure they are operated as carbon-efficiently as possible.
No. 17
Employee voice mechanism
We survey all our colleagues – ashore and afloat, several times per year, which gives us research-led insights to continually improve staff wellbeing and development opportunities.
- Offshore Vessels
The eCSOV Project
We are building the world’s first truly net-zero, electric Commissioning Service Operation Vessel