Tag: 3BL

SAN ANTONIO, CHILE, June 28, 2024 /3BL/ – DP World, a global leader in supply chain solutions, announces the adoption of the MoorMaster™ NxG automated mooring technology at its terminal at the Port of San Antonio in Chile. This milestone marks the first use of the system in the Americas and the first within the DP World global network. 

The MoorMaster system, developed by Cavotec, revolutionizes the mooring process through automated vacuum pads that secure and release vessels within seconds. This cutting-edge technology significantly enhances the efficiency and safety of port operations. This is particularly crucial at the Port of San Antonio, which is known for its significant swell events where tidal waves can exceed 2.5 meters. These conditions often delay traditional mooring operations and pose severe safety risks, including mooring line failures. 

The MoorMaster system is expected to substantially improve operational performance at the terminal. The technology reduces mooring times, decreases the risk of mooring line failures, and improved vessel loading and discharge productivity. 

Curtis Doiron, CEO of DP World in Chile, said: “The adoption of the MoorMaster system at our San Antonio terminal is a transformative moment for DP World in Chile, demonstrating our commitment to the forefront of maritime technology. This state-of-the-art technology not only streamlines and improved our operations, but fundamentally enhances the safety of every team member working at our port. By drastically reducing the risks associated with traditional mooring, we are setting new industry standards for safety and efficiency.”

Patrick Mares, President of Ports & Maritime Division of Cavotec, said: “We are thrilled to see DP World adopt our MoorMaster NxG technology at the Port of San Antonio, marking a significant milestone as the first deployment in the Americas. This technology is designed to transform the mooring process, and we believe this implementation will set a new standard in maritime operations. We are eager to support DP World as they modernize their operations and work to achieve unparalleled safety and efficiency at their terminals.”

The implementation of the $7 million MoorMaster investment at San Antonio is part of a broader strategy to modernize and improve safety and productivity standards across DP World’s global network. Adoption of this technology will inform the use by other DP World terminals in similar conditions.

– END –

DP World Americas Media Contact:

Melina Vissat, Head of Communications
M: (+1) 704-605-6159
E: melina.vissat@dpworld.com

About DP World 

Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make the world’s trade flow better, changing what’s possible for the customers and communities we serve globally. 

With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 111,000 employees from 159 nationalities, spanning 77 countries on six continents, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain that’s fit for the future. 

We’re rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses — Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology – and uniting our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient end-to-end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades.

What’s more, we’re reshaping the future by investing in innovation. From intelligent delivery systems to automated warehouse stacking, we’re at the cutting edge of disruptive technology, pushing the sector towards better ways to trade, minimising disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door. 

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW
TO CHANGE WHAT’S POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE.

June 28, 2024 /3BL/ – The Consumer Goods Forum’s (CGF) Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) continues to share its active engagement in shaping the discourse on global sustainability standards, demonstrated by its participation in the Seafood Expo North America, held from March 10-12, 2024, in Boston. This respected event serves as a vital platform for industry leaders to convene and discuss pressing issues facing the seafood sector.

Alongside the expo, as part of our steady commitment to advancing sustainability standards worldwide, SSCI, in collaboration with the Seafood Ethics Action (SEA) Alliance, co-hosted a session titled “Improving Labour Standards through Industry Alignment.” This lunch, panel and workshop style event was available to attendees of the expo’s multifaceted program, which features over 30 educational sessions led by top industry experts.

Designed with SEA Alliance to foster organic networking opportunities and informal discussions, over 50 stakeholders from across the seafood industry were in attendance. Participants delved into a robust panel discussion and workshop aimed at exploring strategies for bolstering labour standards and safeguarding worker rights across global seafood supply chains.

Moderated by Georgia Worrall, Head of SEA Alliance, the session featured insights from distinguished panelists including Luiza Reguse, Senior Manager SSCI at the CGF, Tracy Murai Assistant Director – Global Fisheries & Marine Sustainability at Thai Union, and Sarah Hussey, Seafood Responsible Sourcing Manager at Seafresh Group.

Each speaker brought invaluable perspectives and practical experiences to the table, emphasising the pivotal role of collaborative efforts in effecting meaningful change in labour conditions.

Key takeaways included:

Harnessing Standards and Tools: Luiza Reguse underscored the importance of leveraging labour standards and tools to drive tangible impact on the ground. This included how the SSCI’s benchmarking process ensures alignment with essential industry requirements, fostering trust and continuous improvement.Integration into Procurement Policies: Sarah Hussey highlighted the imperative of embedding labour standards into sourcing and procurement policies. She emphasised the significance of tools such as Global Fishing Watch’s Vessel Viewer in ensuring transparency and crew safety within sourcing vessels.Collaborative Endeavours: Tracy Murai elucidated the transformative potential of collaboration among industry stakeholders, NGOs, and regulatory bodies. She underlined the need for collective action and alignment on core labour standards to accelerate progress and enhance conditions for workers.

As the seafood industry navigates complex supply chains, SSCI remains dedicated to fostering alignment and collaboration among stakeholders. By leveraging structured frameworks like the SSCI, we can collectively elevate labour standards, mitigate risks, and cultivate resilient supply chains.

The Seafood Expo North America, alongside partners such as with SEA Alliance, serves as a critical springboard for these discussions, highlighting our ongoing dedication to driving the global conversation on sustainability standards.

The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) builds trust in sustainability standards worldwide by benchmarking third-party auditing and certification programmes and recognising schemes that meet social and environmental industry sustainability expectations. By providing an open-source list of recognised programmes, the SSCI delivers clear guidance on which schemes cover key sustainability criteria and apply relevant verification practices. The SSCI improves transparency in the market, facilitates decision-making on schemes at both buyer and supplier level, and sets responsible sourcing expectations for the industry. For more information, visit www.tcgfssci.com and sign up to receive our news and updates.

By Kim Borges

First celebrated in Texas in 1865, Juneteenth was declared a national holiday June 17, 2021. Here, we spotlight a longtime Regions Bank customer and a more recent bank community partner empowering youth and inviting their community to learn more about both the holiday and themselves.

Rhonda Dolberry is full of wisdom.

“What you have inside shines outside, too.”

She’s known for sharing insights with participants of The Scholars, a nonprofit dedicated to exposing youth to events, experiences and empowerment.

“Keep your eyes and ears open because you never know when opportunities are going to manifest themselves.”

And to the students ages nine to 18 across Texarkana’s two-state, four-school district the organization serves, her words are like beacons of light.

“You have to be ready. You have to prepare yourself. If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.”

We’re encouraging our students to go out there and be what you want to be. We want them to be successful students, citizens, leaders.

Rhonda Dolberry, Founder of The Scholars

For Dolberry and co-founder Chiquita Burks, it all began with 10 girls and a fashion show back in 2014.

“Chiquita owned a hair salon and I’m a hoarder of anything shiny,” Dolberry explained of the event’s inspiration.

After the curtain dropped, Dolberry and Burks saw bigger potential.

“What we were trying to do was more than that,” said Dolberry. “So, we asked the girls, ‘What else can we do?’ and we listened to them. We heard them. It all just morphed from there.”

Including The Scholars name, a student’s suggestion.

In the decade since, what was a one-time group of 10 girls now includes boys and averages 30 members. One of its core themes? Inclusion and belonging.

“We’re open to everybody, anybody can join,” said Dolberry. “We know how important it is to know who you are, no matter who you are.”

A second theme? Hard work.

“We are not a meet-and-greet organization, we are a working organization,” said Dolberry.

She means it.

Check in with The Scholars during any given week and you’ll find them learning about business etiquette, participating in a community project or shadowing professionals in fields like dentistry and nursing.

“A lot of kids don’t know what they want to do after graduation,” said Dolberry. “We expose our students to people and places they’ve never been before. Just being in the room, just being someplace can open so many doors. We’re encouraging our students to go out there and be what you want to be. We want them to be successful students, citizens, leaders.”

And for those interested in being entrepreneurs, The Scholars even provides hands-on learning.

Each June, students sell products they’ve created during the organization’s “Keeping History Alive” fundraiser featuring food trucks, performance art, storytelling and even a parade organized by one of the Scholars. Regions Bank in Texarkana is an event sponsor.

“This is an opportunity to showcase our students,” said Dolberry. “Our goal is to get people on both sides of the Texarkana line to come, to bring everybody together.”

Regions’ Texarkana Main branch manager Ricky Robinette and relationship banker team lead Shanna Johnson Pollins teach monthly financial education classes to the budding small-business owners leading up to the event.

Pollins learned about The Scholars during a Greenprint finanical needs conversation with Dolberry, a 50-year bank customer, and Burks. Their work immediately inspired her.

“We believe it’s important for our customers to not only see us as their bank but as servant-leaders of Texarkana,” Pollins said. “I was amazed by the influence Ms. Dolberry and Ms. Burks have had and the impact they’ve created in our community the past 10 years. They’re teaching youth entrepreneurial skills and taking them places I’ve never been.”

We believe it’s important for our customers to not only see us as their bank but as servant-leaders of Texarkana.

Shanna Johnson Pollins, Regions Texarkana relationship banker team lead

Beyond gaining “Main Street” experience as young entrepreneurs, Dolberry and Burks are also introducing The Scholars to lessons taught on Constitution Avenue and U.S. Route 80, among other historical destinations.

“We took kids who had never been on a plane to Washington, D.C., and Selma, Alabama,” said Dolberry. “They saw the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the White House and Arlington Cemetery. They walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. We didn’t initially know how we were going to do it, but we found a way and we did it.”

Persistence – it’s another lesson Dolberry and Burks are modeling for The Scholars. It comes in handy given being an entrepreneur can be challenging.

“Whatever they sell, they keep,” said Dolberry of the money youth earn from wares like beaded bracelets, sunglass cases, baked goods and specialty teas at Keeping History Alive. “After the event, we do a workshop where each student reports to the group how much they spent, how much they earned and what they learned. It’s a chance for them to think about and share what worked and what they would do differently.”

Dolberry is especially grateful to Robinette and Pollins for supporting participants throughout that journey.

When Regions shows up and recognizes us and our students, that speaks volumes. They’re so hospitable. It’s about more than the sponsorship money, it’s your presence.

Rhonda Dolberry, Founder of The Scholars

“When Regions shows up and recognizes us and our students, that speaks volumes,” said Dolberry. “They’re so hospitable. It’s about more than the sponsorship money, it’s your presence.”

And the students aren’t the only ones learning from the experience. Working with The Scholars has also provided lasting takeaways for Pollins.

“I’m from a one-stop sign town and didn’t have access to opportunities like this until I was in college,” she said. “The knowledge I’ve gained from banking is something I’m proud to share with youth to help them reach higher and achieve financial stability. There’s satisfaction knowing I’m helping bring up the next generation of leaders. My involvement with The Scholars has taught me to be the change you want to see in the world.”

Hear More from The Scholars about What the Organization Means to Them:

“What The Scholars has taught me about myself is that I am not as shy as I make out to be. Also, I speak quite well in front of people.” – Charis“

What I love about The Scholars is we travel and expose our group to wonderful things and we do community service around Texarkana, Arkansas and Texas, I was also awarded Scholar of The Year 2022-2023. This organization has made me the leader I am today!” – Matthew“

Being a part of The Scholars has made me the entrepreneur that I am today. I have my own business, Treatz By Uniq, which includes lemonades, brownies, cakes, and more. I am sure you will see me around.” – Harmonie

By Kim Borges

First celebrated in Texas in 1865, Juneteenth was declared a national holiday June 17, 2021. Here, we spotlight a longtime Regions Bank customer and a more recent bank community partner empowering youth and inviting their community to learn more about both the holiday and themselves.

Rhonda Dolberry is full of wisdom.

“What you have inside shines outside, too.”

She’s known for sharing insights with participants of The Scholars, a nonprofit dedicated to exposing youth to events, experiences and empowerment.

“Keep your eyes and ears open because you never know when opportunities are going to manifest themselves.”

And to the students ages nine to 18 across Texarkana’s two-state, four-school district the organization serves, her words are like beacons of light.

“You have to be ready. You have to prepare yourself. If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.”

We’re encouraging our students to go out there and be what you want to be. We want them to be successful students, citizens, leaders.

Rhonda Dolberry, Founder of The Scholars

For Dolberry and co-founder Chiquita Burks, it all began with 10 girls and a fashion show back in 2014.

“Chiquita owned a hair salon and I’m a hoarder of anything shiny,” Dolberry explained of the event’s inspiration.

After the curtain dropped, Dolberry and Burks saw bigger potential.

“What we were trying to do was more than that,” said Dolberry. “So, we asked the girls, ‘What else can we do?’ and we listened to them. We heard them. It all just morphed from there.”

Including The Scholars name, a student’s suggestion.

In the decade since, what was a one-time group of 10 girls now includes boys and averages 30 members. One of its core themes? Inclusion and belonging.

“We’re open to everybody, anybody can join,” said Dolberry. “We know how important it is to know who you are, no matter who you are.”

A second theme? Hard work.

“We are not a meet-and-greet organization, we are a working organization,” said Dolberry.

She means it.

Check in with The Scholars during any given week and you’ll find them learning about business etiquette, participating in a community project or shadowing professionals in fields like dentistry and nursing.

“A lot of kids don’t know what they want to do after graduation,” said Dolberry. “We expose our students to people and places they’ve never been before. Just being in the room, just being someplace can open so many doors. We’re encouraging our students to go out there and be what you want to be. We want them to be successful students, citizens, leaders.”

And for those interested in being entrepreneurs, The Scholars even provides hands-on learning.

Each June, students sell products they’ve created during the organization’s “Keeping History Alive” fundraiser featuring food trucks, performance art, storytelling and even a parade organized by one of the Scholars. Regions Bank in Texarkana is an event sponsor.

“This is an opportunity to showcase our students,” said Dolberry. “Our goal is to get people on both sides of the Texarkana line to come, to bring everybody together.”

Regions’ Texarkana Main branch manager Ricky Robinette and relationship banker team lead Shanna Johnson Pollins teach monthly financial education classes to the budding small-business owners leading up to the event.

Pollins learned about The Scholars during a Greenprint finanical needs conversation with Dolberry, a 50-year bank customer, and Burks. Their work immediately inspired her.

“We believe it’s important for our customers to not only see us as their bank but as servant-leaders of Texarkana,” Pollins said. “I was amazed by the influence Ms. Dolberry and Ms. Burks have had and the impact they’ve created in our community the past 10 years. They’re teaching youth entrepreneurial skills and taking them places I’ve never been.”

We believe it’s important for our customers to not only see us as their bank but as servant-leaders of Texarkana.

Shanna Johnson Pollins, Regions Texarkana relationship banker team lead

Beyond gaining “Main Street” experience as young entrepreneurs, Dolberry and Burks are also introducing The Scholars to lessons taught on Constitution Avenue and U.S. Route 80, among other historical destinations.

“We took kids who had never been on a plane to Washington, D.C., and Selma, Alabama,” said Dolberry. “They saw the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the White House and Arlington Cemetery. They walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. We didn’t initially know how we were going to do it, but we found a way and we did it.”

Persistence – it’s another lesson Dolberry and Burks are modeling for The Scholars. It comes in handy given being an entrepreneur can be challenging.

“Whatever they sell, they keep,” said Dolberry of the money youth earn from wares like beaded bracelets, sunglass cases, baked goods and specialty teas at Keeping History Alive. “After the event, we do a workshop where each student reports to the group how much they spent, how much they earned and what they learned. It’s a chance for them to think about and share what worked and what they would do differently.”

Dolberry is especially grateful to Robinette and Pollins for supporting participants throughout that journey.

When Regions shows up and recognizes us and our students, that speaks volumes. They’re so hospitable. It’s about more than the sponsorship money, it’s your presence.

Rhonda Dolberry, Founder of The Scholars

“When Regions shows up and recognizes us and our students, that speaks volumes,” said Dolberry. “They’re so hospitable. It’s about more than the sponsorship money, it’s your presence.”

And the students aren’t the only ones learning from the experience. Working with The Scholars has also provided lasting takeaways for Pollins.

“I’m from a one-stop sign town and didn’t have access to opportunities like this until I was in college,” she said. “The knowledge I’ve gained from banking is something I’m proud to share with youth to help them reach higher and achieve financial stability. There’s satisfaction knowing I’m helping bring up the next generation of leaders. My involvement with The Scholars has taught me to be the change you want to see in the world.”

Hear More from The Scholars about What the Organization Means to Them:

“What The Scholars has taught me about myself is that I am not as shy as I make out to be. Also, I speak quite well in front of people.” – Charis“

What I love about The Scholars is we travel and expose our group to wonderful things and we do community service around Texarkana, Arkansas and Texas, I was also awarded Scholar of The Year 2022-2023. This organization has made me the leader I am today!” – Matthew“

Being a part of The Scholars has made me the entrepreneur that I am today. I have my own business, Treatz By Uniq, which includes lemonades, brownies, cakes, and more. I am sure you will see me around.” – Harmonie

By Josh Hasdell Senior Manager KPMG in Canada

I recently had the privilege of visiting the Antarctic when I joined an expedition group with other curious folks from all over the world alongside a team of glaciologists and marine biologists. As a scuba diver and marine biologist myself, I felt excited about the voyage. As a corporate professional focused on ESG, nature and decarbonization services, as well as the blue economy, I looked forward to gathering first-hand information that would help drive and contextualize this work.

The expedition team I was with visits the region regularly, evaluating the snow and ice and their physical properties. They observe, analyze, measure, compare, and report back. Us regular folks visited the southern continent this one time, (or, at least the first time) to ooh and aah. The sheer size of glaciers and ice shelves astonished us. Our jaws dropped at the substantial number and sizes of whales and marine mammals that live there, along with the icebergs and glaciers. And watching penguins behave in their natural habitat thrilled us all.

Granted, the north and south poles are far, far away. Few of us interact with them the way we do our own homeland’s coasts and shorelines and the hundreds more abroad that we access as tourists, workers, researchers, and consumers. When so remote, so too might our awareness and consideration become of them and their role in the blue economy, particularly when we more regularly contend with urban smog, smoke from wildfires, and extreme weather.

But the poles are just as involved in the blue economy as the oceans we work and play in. As we observe the United Nations’ World Oceans Day 2024, we pay special attention to polar waters, their global roles and transformations, emerging opportunities they present, and our connection to them as businesspeople.

The blue economy from pole to pole

The World Bank has defined the blue economy as the “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health”.1 The concept emphasizes the importance of conserving ocean ecosystems while harnessing their potential for economic growth and development. Its key principles include sustainability, equity, and social inclusiveness, aiming to make sure that ocean resources get utilized in a way that benefits both present and future generations.

The blue economy encompasses a wide range of sectors such as maritime transport and shipping; fisheries and aquaculture, marine conservation and environmental protection; offshore oil and gas exploration and production, but also tourism and recreation, marine biotechnology and pharmaceuticals; marine insurance and risk, digital data and telecommunications, and even marine-based textiles and materials. These commercial pursuits might not all leap to mind when one thinks of polar waters since the Arctic and Antarctic are typically associated with glaciers, icebergs and freezing waters. But climate change is changing that profile.

Vital and vulnerable

Just like weather patterns and events, the oceans are also transforming. We are witnessing changing ocean chemistry – alterations in the chemical composition of oceans, primarily driven by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. The two main aspects of this change are ocean acidification (decreased pH levels) and ocean deoxygenation (when warmer surface temperatures and changes in ocean circulation patterns reduce the solubility of oxygen in seawater). These aspects threaten marine biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and the amenities oceans provide such as food security, climate regulation, and carbon sequestration.

In the north and south poles, additional ocean factors are at play.

Ocean warming driven by climate change is a primary driver of ice melt. In Antarctica, warmer ocean water can undercut the base of an ice shelf, causing it to destabilize and calve (that is, shed massive chunks of ice). The collapse or release of an ice shelf can lead to more rapid discharge of continental ice, which contributes to increased sea level posing dangers related to flooding, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion that contaminates drinking supplies, and loss of coastal ecosystems. Because they are in contact with the atmosphere above and the ocean below, ice shelves are the most vulnerable component of the Antarctic cryosphere to environmental change.2

In parallel, the Arctic had its warmest summer on record last year, continuing a 17-year trend of consistent sea ice melting.

Opportunities and challenges

While melting ice poses complex challenges related to environmental sustainability, resource management, and community resilience, it can also unlock new and unexpected economic opportunities.

The Arctic

As ice gives way, new trade routes can offer shorter transit times between Asia, Europe, and North America. Some studies suggest that transit times between Asia and Atlantic ports could decrease by 30% to 50%, reducing travel by 14 to 20 days.

The Northern Sea Route is the shortest shipping route between the western part of Eurasia and the Asia-Pacific region. It is currently navigable for just a few months of the year with support from Russian icebreakers. However, melting ice is expected to gradually expand the route out into international waters, with predictions of ice-free Arctic summers as early as 2035.3 Shipping companies already use moderately ice-strengthened vessels which can operate earlier during the summer and later into the fall.4

The Northwest Passage runs between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Arctic Ocean, along the northern coast of North America via waterways through the Arctic Archipelago of Canada. As more ice melts, the Northwest Passage through northern Canada could become a viable competitor to the Northern Sea Route, and a seasonal direct route across the North Pole might emerge in the longer term if the ice cap disappears entirely during parts of the year.5

These new sea lanes can bring significant cost savings to shipping companies, boost maritime trade and stimulate economic activity in the region. In fact, the number of unique ships entering the Arctic Polar Code area6 from 2013 to 2023 increased by 37%, around 500 ships . Fishing vessels and general cargo ships7 represent the majority of this increased traffic.

As Arctic shipping increases so too does the need to collect data and monitor trends. PAME—the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment—developed the ASTD—Arctic Ship Traffic Data—a project that “collects and distributes accurate, reliable and up-to-date information on shipping activities in the Arctic”.8 At the same time, Russia has activated the world’s first Arctic observation satellite system, which aims to provide continuous meteorological and environmental monitoring of the Arctic surface, including the Northern Sea Route, which runs near the Siberian coastline. As more satellites get added (up to eight), the system expects to forecast the viability of Arctic shipping routes, enhance Arctic telecommunications services for air traffic and commercial shipping, and explore hydrocarbon exploration.9

Vast oil and gas reserves previously trapped beneath the ice, including an estimated 30% of the world’s undiscovered natural gas and 13% of its undiscovered oil, as well as critical minerals needed for the energy transition away from fossil fuels are becoming more feasible and economical to access leading to increased interest in offshore drilling, mining, and exploration by energy companies. Regional infrastructure along the Canadian and US coastlines will be required in combination with collaboration over EEZs (exclusive economic zones) and overlapping national claims to the seabed and its resources.10 Russia is keen to expand its Arctic LNG production here, with plans for extraction and transportation drawn up. Associated environmental risks for all energy and natural resources opportunities such as oil spills and habitat destruction must be considered and properly mitigated.

As cruise tourism, wildlife watching, and adventure tourism become more accessible, local communities can enjoy economic benefits through increased tourism spending, job creation, and infrastructure development. Its environmental impact, however, will require sustainable management practices to minimize negative effects on fragile Arctic ecosystems.

Retreating sea ice presents new areas for fishing, particularly for species such as Arctic cod and shrimp. Commercial fishing operations can expand into previously inaccessible waters, potentially increasing yields and revenue for fishing communities.

New subsea data cable routes between Europe and Asia can get introduced to address growing internet traffic. Correspondingly, two projects have emerged.

(1) Far North Fiber is a joint development project aimed to deliver the first long-haul submarine fibre optic system through the Northwest Passage to connect Asia to Europe, with funding from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility – Digital program.

(2) Polar-Connect, a Northern European initiative aimed to obtain secure and resilient connectivity through the Arctic to Asia and North America, plans to route cables under the ice cap of the North Pole. The installation of these projects could improve connectivity for underdeveloped parts of the region currently facing unreliable internet access, create necessary digital redundancy, and benefit the scientific community specifically with respect to climate research, marine biology, oceanography, seismology, and more.11

Expect to see more than $1 trillion spent on infrastructure investments as a growing list of international stakeholders look to capitalize on the blue economy of the high north.12

The Antarctic

Likewise, melting ice in the Antarctic can have multifaceted impacts on the blue economy. Since increased ice melt and the release of icebergs into the ocean can pose hazards to navigation, enhanced safety measures and navigation assistance for vessels operating in polar waters become necessary. Additionally, changes in ice conditions may impact the operation of research vessels, supply ships, and support vessels servicing scientific research stations and field camps in the Antarctic.

Altered oceanographic conditions and marine ecosystems affect the distribution and abundance of fish stocks and krill – key components of the Antarctic and global food web. Changes in sea ice extent and duration can impact the breeding, feeding, and migration patterns of fish species, potentially affecting commercial fisheries.

Declining sea ice extent and changes in ice conditions can affect access to wildlife habitats and scenic landscapes. These alterations will likely influence the itinerary and experiences offered by tour operators. Additionally, changes in ocean temperatures and ice melt can affect the abundance and distribution of marine wildlife, impacting selection of tourism destinations and wildlife viewing opportunities.

The scientific research and monitoring of climate change impacts, oceanographic processes, and ecosystem dynamics in the region that I witnessed on the Antarctic expedition can expand as researchers study the effects of ice melt on sea level rise, ocean circulation, marine biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning, providing valuable insights into the drivers and consequences of environmental change in the Antarctic. This important research informs policy decisions, resource management strategies, and conservation efforts aimed at preserving the health and resilience of Antarctic marine ecosystems and the blue economy.

Harnessing transformation through collaboration

The Arctic and the Antarctic regions are transforming rapidly. Their inevitably changing profiles underscore climate change effects and influence decision-making, and have sparked geopolitical conversation and debates. The number of global stakeholders and spirit of competition has swelled as these opening regions force contemplation of land and coastlines ownership and/or stewardship, and international security.

At the same time, the regions have uncovered important prospects for the global economy. More efficient trade routes, greater scientific research and development, enhanced data and telecommunications, and increased renewable energy investments all present undeniably valuable benefits for global growth, development, and interconnectedness. Businesses around the world need to understand how the blue economy, including the north and south poles, impacts their day-to-day commerce in-house, as well as externally as they interact with their suppliers and customers.

Working together on a global scale by seeking and collecting trustworthy data, sharing knowledge, pooling resources, and distributing leading practices means that while we prioritize the long-term health and resilience of the Arctic and the Antarctic, we have novel occasions to realize value from and within the blue economy.

As our northernmost and southernmost regions continue to transform, perhaps a polar expedition is not so far away after all.

To view this article on kpmg.com, please click here.

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Josh Hasdell

Senior Manager

KPMG in Canada

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Footnotes

[1] https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/infographic/2017/06/06/blue-economy

[2] https://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/weather-and-climate/climate-change/ice-shelves/

[3] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-020-0865-2

[4] https://www.thearcticinstitute.org/future-northern-sea-route-golden-waterway-niche/

[5] EG Global Macro Geopolitics_Melting Arctic ice heats up the geopolitical competition.pdf

[6] The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar waters as defined by the International Maritime organization: https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Pages/polar-code.aspx

[7] https://arctic-council.org/news/increase-in-arctic-shipping/#_ftn1

[8] https://pame.is/index.php/projects/arctic-marine-shipping/astd

[9] https://maritime-executive.com/article/russia-turns-on-world-s-first-satellite-system-for-arctic-monitoring#:~:text=Over%20the%20weekend%2C%20Russia%20activated,second%20in%20December%20last%20year.

[10] EG Global Macro Geopolitics_Melting Arctic ice heats up the geopolitical competition.pdf

[11] https://nordu.net/polar-connect/

[12] EG Global Macro Geopolitics_Melting Arctic ice heats up the geopolitical competition.pdf

PotlatchDeltic’s lumber and plywood complex located in St. Maries, Idaho has received the 2024 Business of the Year Award from the St. Maries Chamber of Commerce. The St. Maries Complex is situated in a picturesque rural community nestled in a beautiful timbered valley along the St. Joe River. The St. Maries population of about 2,800 people is driven by the timber industry and PotlatchDeltic is the largest employer. The St. Maries Complex places a significant emphasis on contributing to the well-being of the local community through volunteering and charitable giving.

Swimming and sports are favorite summer pastimes and a great way to get children and families outdoors. PotlatchDeltic wanted to help the community by ensuring that children were safe and introduced a “free swim summer” from June to August at the city pool that included swim lessons. The community response was great and almost doubled the normal use of the facility!

The St. Maries Lumberjack Booster Club, affiliated with St. Maries High School, had a vision for a sports complex where the youth of the community could have a dedicated place for sports activities. PotlatchDeltic shared this vision and contributed $150,000 towards the construction of PotlatchDeltic Field at Lumberjack Sports Complex. The complex houses baseball, softball, and soccer fields. PotlatchDeltic believes that promoting sports not only supports fitness and health, but also benefits children’s mental and social health and teaches the importance of teamwork, discipline, and dedication.

In Benewah County, Idaho, where the St. Maries Complex is located, a highlight of the County Fair held each August is the Junior Livestock Show & Sale. The event enables local 4-H youth aged 5-18 to exhibit and sell animals they have learned to feed and care for under the 4-H youth program. Youth in 4-H in the area not only participate in the program to learn about agriculture, poultry, and livestock production, but also to learn life skills. They own and work with the animals and are responsible for looking after the animals and keeping them healthy while they grow before exhibiting them in competitive shows and sales. Often, raising and selling these animals is a big part of a student’s savings for college. The St. Maries Complex supported the community by purchasing animals featured at the event.

At PotlatchDeltic, we are honored to receive this award which recognizes the positive impact we have on the St. Maries community.

MONTREAL, June 28, 2024 /3BL/ – Gildan Activewear Inc. (GIL: TSX and NYSE) (“Gildan” or the “Company”) is pleased to share that it has been recognized as one of the Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada by Corporate Knights for the third consecutive year. Gildan is the only company in the Textiles & Clothing Manufacturing peer group to be included. In addition, Gildan has been included in the inaugural edition of TIME’s World Most Sustainable Companies, and is one of only 12 Canadian companies featured on this global list.

“We are proud to be included in the rankings of these reputable organizations, especially as we celebrate 20 years of sustainability reporting this summer,” says Glenn Chamandy, President and CEO of Gildan. “These recognitions are a testament to our steadfast commitment to ESG, which represents one of the three pillars of our Gildan Sustainable Growth strategy and which is focused on our efforts towards creating a more sustainable future.”

Corporate Knights’ ranking of the Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada is based on their assessment of all Canadian publicly traded, privately owned and Crown corporations with gross annual revenues over CAD $1 billion. Each corporation is evaluated on a set of up to 25 key performance indicators such as carbon emissions and aspirations for greater social equity.

TIME’s inaugural edition of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2024 identifies the top 500 companies from over 5,000 of the world’s largest and most influential companies, assessed on over 20 key data points. Performance is measured against ESG rankings such as (but not limited to): CDP, SBTi, S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook, the level of sustainability reporting alignment with GRI, SASB, and TCFD, in addition to KPIs such as emissions and energy intensity, health and safety, gender diversity in leadership, and gender pay equity.

Corporate Knights’ full ranking is available here.

TIME’s full ranking is available here.

About Gildan

Gildan is a leading manufacturer of everyday basic apparel. The Company’s product offering includes activewear, underwear and socks, sold to a broad range of customers, including wholesale distributors, screenprinters or embellishers, as well as to retailers that sell to consumers through their physical stores and/or e-commerce platforms and to global lifestyle brand companies. The Company markets its products in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, under a strong portfolio of Company-owned brands including Gildan®, American Apparel®, Comfort Colors®, GOLDTOE®, and Peds®.

Gildan owns and operates vertically integrated, large-scale manufacturing facilities which are primarily located in Central America, the Caribbean, North America, and Bangladesh. Gildan operates with a strong commitment to industry-leading labour, environmental, and governance practices throughout its supply chain in accordance with its comprehensive ESG program embedded in the Company’s long-term business strategy. More information about the Company and its ESG practices and initiatives can be found at www.gildancorp.com. 
 

Investor inquiries:

Jessy Hayem, CFA
Vice-President, Head of Investor Relations 
(514) 744-8511 
jhayem@gildan.com 

Media inquiries:

Genevieve Gosselin 
Director, Global Communications and Corporate Marketing 
(514) 343-8814 
communications@gildan.com

Did you know that Henkel North America employs approximately 8,000 employees in more than 65 sites across the U.S. and Canada? Collectively, these sites support two business units: Adhesive Technologies and Consumer Brands.

Our #AViewFrom series features select locations, sharing information and facts about our sites across Henkel North America.

If you’ve ever enjoyed soda or sparkling water from an aluminum can, driven an electric vehicle (EV), or flown in an airplane, you can thank employees at this Henkel site for their contributions in making those products possible. Here, a lean and efficient team manufactures lubricants, dispersions, and surface treatments used in metal packaging, EV battery production, and metal cleaning and finishing. Learn more in this segment of #AViewFrom: Delaware, OH.

Just a short drive from Ohio’s capital city of Columbus sits the town of Delaware, where a longstanding 130,000 sq. ft. Henkel production site runs 24 hours a day, five days a week. Here, Henkel employees are manufacturing a variety of BONDERITE® brand chemistries including release lubricants used in metal can manufacturing; surface treatment and metal cleaning formulas for metal forming production, sheets, stamping, and others; and unique graphite products that are a vital enabler of electric vehicle (EV) lithium-ion batteries. Serving the company’s automotive, metal packaging, aerospace, and electronics businesses, about 60 employees in production, material handling, engineering, maintenance, safety, and quality are dedicated to enabling customers’ operations, Henkel brand excellence, and coworker success.

The products we manufacture are essential for all types of modern-day conveniences and transportation technologies.

Dave Bryant, Operations Director

“Our customers are making millions of aluminum cans daily. Henkel’s release lubricants help their equipment release the cans from the molds efficiently at extremely high speeds; high-volume manufacturing would be impossible without them. Also unique to this site are our graphite dispersion formulations and processes. These dispersions are special because they do not allow the graphite to settle over time allowing our customers to have the highest quality dispersion throughout their process. We are one of a few facilities globally that have mastered the complexity of this technique, which is exclusive to Henkel, and a significant contributor to several advanced technologies, most notably EV batteries,” explains Operations Director Dave Bryant.

Built in 1954 by the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company (Pennsalt), Henkel took over the Delaware, OH site in 2001 after acquiring Atofina’s metal treatment business. Since then, the facility has undergone several expansions, investments, and added new processes to its capabilities. Ongoing improvements have seen the addition of new equipment to the factory and enhanced sustainability efforts. Engineering and Maintenance Manager Tim Moore, a 30-year Henkel employee, comments on the latest initiatives designed to save water and capture operational metrics.

We are integrating a next-generation chiller to enable water reuse, which will result in the conservation of a million gallons of water per year. The Delaware site has also installed Sensorfact energy management software to monitor and report data such as energy use, water and gas consumption, equipment maintenance requirements, and plant temperature and humidity. This will be tremendous for measuring and assessing our efficiency for sustainable manufacturing.

Tim Moore, Engineering and Maintenance Manager

TEAM BUILDING, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY COMMITMENT:

Ask any Delaware employee, and they will tell you the culture is just different here. Kind-hearted, generous people who care about their coworkers, community, and their employer, make up the team at this Henkel plant. Production Manager Kenny Mouton joined the Henkel family earlier this year and felt welcomed from the start. “The staff here is authentic, down to earth, and so encouraging. I’m still learning and have been guided and trained with exceptional professionalism and positivity. Every day is different, and everyone is committed to excellence. I really enjoy working here.”

Quality Manager Tara Franklin oversees incoming raw material and outgoing product quality testing, and she also spearheads many of Delaware’s team building and employee appreciation endeavors. Tara ensures birthdays are celebrated and that notable events like the recent solar eclipse bring the team together for fun. The site also supports the local community, participating in Christmas clothing drives, among other activities, and recently donating Henkel products to local families impacted by a devastating tornado. “People needed cleaning supplies, so we donated Persil® brand laundry detergent and Dial® brand hand soap,” Tara recounts. “It was heartening to be able to help those affected with products our company makes.”

DID YOU KNOW?

One of the Triple Crowns of horse racing is held annually in Delaware, OH. It’s most likely not the Triple Crown you may be familiar with, but a unique contest called the Little Brown Jug, which is one of the jewels in the Triple Crown of harness racing.

“Say ‘yes’ whenever you can. Get out of your comfort zone daily. Lead by example, network frequently, join committees—and above all else—maintain a positive, can-do mindset.”

Words of wisdom on jumpstarting a career from one of our hospitality leaders Kimberly Hoffmann (INHC). And she knows a thing or two about building a successful and empowered career.

For Kimberly, wellness isn’t just her livelihood, it’s her passion. In just five short years at Kohler Hospitality, she’s lived and breathed her wellness mission—and accomplished A LOT:

200 hour certified yoga instructor through Yoga on the Lake’s training programEarly ambassador of Kohler’s Press + Chill cold-pressed juice brandIntegrative nutritional health coachCertified in Reiki energy healingPromoted to manager of Awakening Juicery + Coffee BarLeader in wellness seminars and retreats hosted by Destination KohlerPlus, her latest project, the launch of the Foundry Cat, Kohler’s newest coffee stop branded after a mythical cat with nine lives residing in our factories for more than a century.

“Yoga on the Lake was just the beginning. It opened my eyes to my love of yoga, wellness, and the incredible community connection that Kohler offers,” she said. “Five years later, I’m still consistently challenged, appreciated, inspired, and motivated by new opportunities.”

And, she isn’t slowing down. Kimberly lends her knowledge to fellow associates, facilitating “Mindfulness Monday” and lunchtime coffee sessions covering health and wellness skills. She also brings her passion and energy to the community as the current vice president of our Young Professionals of Kohler business resource group and as a volunteer for local non-profits.

“I want to be the light when someone is going through darkness. I want to help people understand that their healing is in their hands and bring awareness to the multiple modalities of healing that they can access daily.”

So much inspiration in five years.

ERGs Unplugged is our internal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) podcast, where we take a deeper dive into the power of our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). In our third episode, PRISM (our LGBTQIA+ ERG) members Avery Springe and Taran Neiderman share their experiences and discuss how the ERG has influenced them both personally and professionally.

Avery Springe shares an inspiring story of how he utilized his community in PRISM, our LGBTQIA+ ERG, to pioneer a change in policy—giving all individuals access to a gender-neutral bathroom no matter what state they reside in.

For Taran Neidermann having an employee who encourages them to be their true self has been life-changing. Above, they share how they found support through their participation in PRISM.

To learn more about our commitment to DE&I visit: Maximus.com/DEI