Volvo Ocean Race

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Environmental Initiative

Ocean Sailing under scrutiny

Sun, wind and water obviously dominate and are the environmentally friendly 'ingredients' in sailing competitions. However, ocean racing has an environmental impact with respect to energy usage and expenditure. For example - container transport, flights to the ports, chase boats driven with fossil fuels and electric and electronic equipment onboard.

During the 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race, the environmental impact from ocean racing will be monitored and reviewed.

"I am in no doubt that we need to grow and develop the Volvo Ocean Race in a sustainable way, and take our corporate social responsibility as well as our environmental management seriously," Knut Frostad, CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race, said.

"The boats and the sailors can become excellent ambassadors for a positive environmental message. I am confident that we can also develop our boats and energy consumption in a way that can benefit even areas and industries outside our race. Wind as an energy source is on it's way back, even in shipping - and this we shall be a part of."

The Volvo Ocean Race is to undergo a thorough environmental audit in partnership with risk management specialists DNV (Det Norske Veritas). DNV Software has created a custom-built Environmental Performance System (EPS). The programme will cover all elements of the race - the event organisers, sponsors, the teams and their boats. The main objective is to clearly identify areas for environmental improvement as well as creating a benchmark against which to measure future races.

The onboard media crew members (MCM) are also involved in the environmental programme as part of their duties are centred on a water-sampling programme run in conjunction with the race partner Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics. At a pre-determined each day the MCM will take a sea water sample and test it with a  'Luminometer.' The results are recorded along with air temperature, cloud cover, water temperature and the GPS position of the boat.

The project was initiated by Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, WWL. WWL cooperates with its sister company Wallenius Water, responsible for the research part of the project.