Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors are increasingly shaping the practices and performance of companies across industries, including in the shipping sector.
Roles with an ESG or sustainability element may be responsible for ensuring compliance with environmental and sustainability standards, analysing environmental-related legal procedures, and developing new initiatives and strategies to reduce the environmental impact of vessels.
The role may include liaising with stakeholders and key contacts in the industry including universities, institutions and suppliers and are required to stay up to date with the emerging trends and new legislation impacting the industry. They may also need to support clients in reaching their respective ESG-related targets. Senior roles may also have strategy related responsibilities.
At Spinnaker we are here to help with your next ESG or Sustainability job role.
A Sustainability Manager in a shipping company plays a critical role in driving the company's environmental strategy, reducing its carbon footprint, and ensuring compliance with regulations. This role is key to showcasing the company as a responsible leader in sustainable shipping, balancing operational goals with environmental responsibility.
Sustainability roles vary from company to company but may focus on areas such as emissions reduction, fuel optimisation, alternative energy solutions, waste management, and compliance with global environmental regulations.
Environmental Director, Director of Environmental Performance, Director of Sustainability, Director of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Environmental Manager, Senior Environment & Quality Manager, Compliance Manager, Strategy & Sustainability Manager, Environmental Compliance Manager, Environmental Governance Manager, Senior Sustainability Manager, Senior Environmental Advisor, Lead Environmentalist, Environment Team Lead, Environmental Regulations Compliance Lead, Senior Sustainability Advisor, Senior Sustainability Specialist.
ESG & Sustainability professionals are in demand across all sectors of the shipping industry as companies strive to reduce their environmental impact, comply with evolving regulations, and meet sustainability targets. The types of companies hiring for these roles include large container shipping lines, tanker operators, bulk carriers, cruise companies, port authorities, logistics providers, shipbuilders, and consultancies.
To find out more about ESG & Sustainability jobs, please get in touch with the team who specialise in these vacancies.
My journey started by accident. Studying law at the time I wanted to specialize in something that was different and a visionary family friend suggested maritime. A few years later I found myself heading the Legal Department in a shipowning organisation. Today, 12 years on I am running my own ESG consultancy, helping organizations make an impact and breaching the gap between delivering commercially and evolving to a new era of stakeholders. I did my Masters Degree LLM in Maritime Law and later on an MBA with focus on change management in maritime and ethical leadership.
I love how it feels like a big global family. We speak our own language, get each other's excitement when we see a ship go by and the unique bond this creates. Through this industry I have learned about so many cultures, built a global network and have made friends from so many places around the world. I am also always in awe whenever I think about how vital this sector is. It delivers day in and day out life as we know it; food, medicine, fuel etc.
Be present and get to know the people in it. Not because you believe it is a way to open doors, but with a genuine interest to understand what they do. This is the best way to gain a good understanding of what the sector is about, what it takes to be a part of it (skill and personality wise) and it gives you an indication on what you would like to bring to the table. Make sure you are looking to add value, be prepared to be well invested in it and respect that it takes time and consistency to succeed.
Gina Panayiotou
Founder & CEO, Oceans Arena
Chair, World ESG Forum
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More than 20 million shipping containers are moving around the world at any given time.
Spinnaker was engaged on a global executive search project to source a Director of Bunker Fuel Strategy to be based in our European headquarters. This was a difficult project that required detailed knowledge of the shipping industry both to source the right person and to sell our opportunity to them. Spinnaker shortlisted some excellent individuals from around the world and were successful in finding us a Scandinavian based in Switzerland. We would not hesitate to recommend Spinnaker.