Sustainability

Working sustainably

As a global leader in the transportation and storage of products that touch every aspect of modern life and a producer of sustainable seafood, we take our role as an essential part of a sustainable global supply chain seriously.

From our health and safety standards and environmental performance to our asset management, investment decisions and the way we recruit and develop our people, we strive to operate in a way that is safe for both people and the environment.

The Board and management believe that acting responsibly and protecting people and the environment is essential
for the future success of our company and protects shareholder value.

The day-to-day monitoring and management of sustainability risks, and the reporting and communication of these, sits with the executive management of SNL. This team is also responsible for the development and execution of our sustainability strategy, embedding sustainable thinking into wider corporate strategy and disseminating this throughout the organisation. 

Engaging with stakeholders

Collaboration is key to our sustainability approach, and we engage with trade associations and other sector-specific organisations on industry trends and best practices.

These include American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, Ammonia Energy Association (AEA), Associacion Petroquimica y Quimica Latinoamericana, Bulk Liquids Industry Association Inc, Clean Cargo, EcoTransIT, European Chemical Transport Association (ECTA), European Petrochemical Association, Global Maritime Forum, HiLo, IMPA|Save, International Chamber of Shipping, International Liquid Terminals Association, International Tank Container Organization, INTERTANKO, ITOPF, Koninklijke BLN-Schuttevaer, Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, Maritime Anti Corruption Network (MACN), Poseidon Principles, Sea Cargo Charter, Ship Recycling Transparency Initiative, Singapore Chemical Industry Council, Smart Freight Centre, Tank Storage Association, The Consumer Goods Forum, European Federation of Aquaculture Producers, and the Norwegian Seafood Council. 

Aligning to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a framework for governments, businesses and individuals to work towards creating a better future for both people and the planet.

Stolt-Nielsen has developed strong governance frameworks, processes and standards that align with three SDGs in particular – Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action and Life Below Water – which we use to guide our approach to sustainability and support our ambition to reduce the impact of our operations on the environment.

UN Global Compact

Stolt-Nielsen is a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), an initiative for businesses committed to aligning their operations with 10 universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

Our Code of Business Conduct and supporting global policies incorporate the UNGC Ten Principles, and we reflect the basic concepts of fairness, honesty and respect for people and the environment in the way we operate our business. As a signatory of the UNGC, we report our progress on implementing the Ten Principles and the ways in which we are supporting the 2030 development agenda.

Our sustainability ambitions

We work hard to ensure we meet all current and future environmental regulations at both a local and international level. But we don’t stop there. We also have multiple ambitions of our own to prioritise safety and reduce the environmental impact of our businesses.

Zero harm to people and the environment – this is this is our number-one priority.

Stolt Tankers

  • Reduce Scope 1 carbon intensity by 50% (relative to 2008 levels) by 2030
  • Reach net zero CO2e emissions by 2050, in line with the IMO’s target

Stolthaven Terminals

  • Reduce Scope 1 and 2 carbon intensity by 50% relative to 2018 baseline by 2030
  • Reach net zero CO2e emissions by 2050

Stolt Tank Containers

  • Reduce Scope 1 and 2 carbon intensity at wholly owned depots by 50% relative to 2020 baseline by 2030
  • Reach net zero CO2e emissions by 2050

Stolt Sea Farm

  • Reduction of fish products in our ongrowing feed (relative to 2019 levels) by 2030: 65% reduction for sole and 50% reduction for turbot
  • Reach net zero CO2e emissions by 2050 

Our people and communities

We actively support the communities in which we operate, not just financially but also by organising and participating in local environmental, educational and social programmes. Where possible, we purchase local goods and services, and hire and train local talent for fulfilling careers.

For example, in 2024, Stolt Tankers together with its partners NYK Line, CMB Tech, Tufton and Farvatn donated US $110,000 to three local environmental projects focused on climate action.

Stolt Tankers also continued its local partnership with JCI Regatta, donating the funds to build a boat to transport children to school on the island of Malalison, Iloilo.

Employees at Stolthaven Terminals in Brazil donated almost 2,000 litres of drinking water to help people affected by severe floods in the south of the country in May 2024. Every litre of water donated by an employee was doubled by the business. 

In Colombia, Stolt Tank Containers provides ongoing support to the Abraza un Sueño (Hugs that Heal) Foundation, which helps seriously ill children. 

Stolt Sea Farm (SSF) was chosen by the Aquaculture Business Association of Spain (APROMAR) to tell its community engagement story. And for the sixth consecutive year, SSF sponsored a marine-education programme for students in Galicia, Spain allowing more than 330 students to learn about sustainable aquaculture and fishing and how to value, and care for, the ocean’s resources.

Our people

Sustainability Report 2024

As a global leader in the transportation and storage of products that touch every aspect of modern life, and a producer of sustainable seafood, we take our role as an essential part of the global supply chain seriously. From our health and safety focus and environmental performance to our asset management, investment decisions and the way we recruit and develop our people, we aim to work in a way that is safe for both people and the environment.

Our sustainability report uses qualitative descriptions and quantitative metrics to describe our policies, programmes, practices and performance, and to set targets. Note that many of the standards and metrics used in preparing this report continue to evolve and are based on management assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time of preparation, but should not be considered guarantees.

Outlooks, projections, estimates, goals, descriptions of business and other statements of future events or conditions are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on management’s knowledge and reasonable expectations at the time of publication, and we assume no duty to update these statements as of any future date. Actual future results could differ materially due to several factors, including:

  • changes in global or regional demand, supply and pricing for oil, natural gas, chemicals, feedstocks and other pricing factors affecting the transportation industries such as regional or global supply and demand imbalances and differentials

  • political and regulatory factors, including war, security disturbances, national tax policies, trade policies, environmental policies and the impact of international accords and treaties

  • changes in population size, purchasing power and consumer preferences

  • the timely completion of development and construction projects

  • actions of competitors

  • the outcome of current and future research efforts and the ability to bring new technologies to commercial scale on a cost-competitive basis

  • technical and operating factors.