Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation has once again earned global recognition for its leadership in marine conservation and emissions reduction, receiving the Sapphire Award—the highest honour presented by the Protecting Blue Whales & Blue Skies program—for the fourth time. The award, coordinated by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), acknowledges Yang Ming’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the environmental impact of its vessel operations along the California coast.
Yang Ming was among a select group of carriers recognised for voluntarily reducing vessel speeds to 10 knots or less in ecologically sensitive maritime corridors, including the San Francisco Bay Area, Monterey Bay, and Southern California. These slow-speed zones are critical migratory paths for endangered species such as blue, fin, and humpback whales and are key regions for addressing coastal air quality and underwater noise pollution.
“Through continued participation in this program, we are not only supporting marine biodiversity but also lowering greenhouse gas emissions and harmful pollutants in highly trafficked shipping lanes,” said Thomas Zin, Assistant Vice President at Yang Ming (America), who accepted the award on behalf of the company.
Yang Ming has supported the Protecting Blue Whales & Blue Skies initiative since 2016, making it one of the earliest and most consistent global shipping participants in the program. The company’s voluntary speed reductions contribute to significant cuts in nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and CO₂ emissions, while also minimizing vessel-generated acoustic disruption that affects marine wildlife.
Beyond operational changes at sea, Yang Ming has embedded marine conservation into its broader sustainability agenda, aligning its strategy with UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water. The company also promotes environmental education internally, conducting staff awareness campaigns and volunteer programs to foster a company-wide culture of environmental responsibility.
As global regulators and coastal authorities place increased emphasis on biodiversity preservation and carbon reduction in high-traffic maritime corridors, Yang Ming’s consistent recognition reinforces its reputation as a carrier committed to responsible operations and long-term sustainability.
The Protecting Blue Whales & Blue Skies program is supported by NOAA, the California Air Resources Board, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and a coalition of local and federal partners. The Sapphire Award represents the program’s highest tier, reserved for ship operators who achieve the greatest compliance with seasonal voluntary speed reductions.
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