NAMEPA and Genco Team Up to Save Our Seas

July 12, 2021: The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) partnered with their corporate member, Genco Shipping & Trading (NYSE: GNK), to sponsor a beach cleanup at Rockaway Beach in New York. Genco called on their offices in New York, Denmark and Singapore to join the efforts with NAMEPA to Save Our Seas on a global level for their second collaborative cleanup.

“NAMEPA is always pleased to partner with our members on initiatives to Save Our Seas”, stated Carleen Lyden Walker, Co-Founder/Executive Director of NAMEPA.  “It is especially gratifying to work with such a committed group of environmental stewards like Genco!”

Genco and NAMEPA descended upon Rockaway Beach, New York on June 30^th. NAMEPA and Genco leaders were accompanied by their teams, family members and local volunteers. From 9:00am to 11:00am, volunteers were able to collect over 140 pounds of trash from the beach and dunes of Rockaway. Mostly consisting of wrappers, cigarette butts and plastic bottles, some peculiar objects such as an old rake plate, umbrellas covered in mussels (clearly reflecting a long journey in our ocean) and several abandoned clothing objects were collected by volunteers. Similar efforts with Genco staff also occurred in Denmark and Singapore.

As COVID-19 still affects the world around us, individuals are trying to find safe and responsible outdoor activities. The beach is a wonderful place for families and individuals of all walks of life to engage in COVID-19 safe activities, but the trash that is left behind is detrimental to the health of our ocean. Although there are trash and recycling bins along the boardwalk, trash still liters the beach, walkways and dunes. NAMEPA and Genco are dedicated to ensuring the health of our ocean and everyone that enjoys it. NAMEPA and Genco are proud to work together to help Save Our Seas.

“When organizations like NAMEPA and Genco team together, such as for a beach clean-up, it goes much further than the immediacy of removing trash from the dunes.  It illuminates the need for more events like this and teaching our children the importance of saving our seas while inspiring action within our communities and the maritime ecosystem.  During the event, many residents gained valuable information about this initiative and expressed their sincere appreciation for cleaning the beach” stated Rob Hughes, COO of Genco Shipping & Trading. “Genco was thrilled this year to synchronize beach clean-up operations in both Singapore and Denmark. Saving our seas requires many hands to make the tremendous task possible; working with NAMEPA, Genco hopes to grow these initiatives in the future as we work towards cleaner seas.”

Dedicated to environmental stewardship and sustainability, NAMEPA and Genco are well versed in the volume of debris that ends up in our oceans every day and are actively working to mitigate its impacts. NAMEPA recently received the Green4Sea Award for their CSR/ESG (Corporate Social Responsibility/Environment, Social and Governance) Maritime Sustainability Program, the first known standards program for maritime industry. Genco, being one of the largest dry bulk shipping companies in the world, regularly integrates ESG practices in their operational and strategic decision making, recently receiving high marks on the Webber ESG scale.

The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is a marine industry-led organization of environmental stewards preserving the marine environment by promoting sustainable marine industry best practices and educating seafarers, students and the public about the need and strategies for protecting global ocean, lake and river resources. Visit us at: www.namepa.net

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited is a leading provider of international seaborne drybulk transportation services. We transport iron ore, coal, grain, steel products and other drybulk cargoes along worldwide shipping routes. Our wholly owned modern and diverse fleet of dry cargo vessels consists of Capesize, Ultramax and Supramax vessels that provide an essential link in international trade. Visit Genco at: www.gencoshipping.com

Featured Photo: Genco and NAMEPA Teams pose with the 140 pounds of trash collected