What does AEGIR-Marine’s B Corp certification mean to its customers and suppliers? And what about the broader maritime industry?

Following AEGIR-Marine’s recent announcement that it is now a certified B Corp, it’s time to take a closer look at the impact this will have on the company’s external relationships: with its customers, supply chain, and (potentially) the maritime industry as a whole.

“We have always tried to make our customers and suppliers really feel that they can rely on us in terms of quality. But also, that we are an independent, responsible company with integrity,” says Paul Grizell, CCO at AEGIR-Marine. “Our B Corp certification takes this a step further.”

Looking up the supply chain, the increasing importance of sustainable transport of goods is a key development. Consumers, who can also be seen as the final link of the supply chain, give more value to products that have been manufactured and transported in a sustainable manner.

“For a shipping company transporting products for business-to-consumer markets, whether that’s toys, flatpack furniture or food, being able to show that their propulsion systems are serviced by a certified B Corp is definitely a plus point in the eyes of the consumer,” adds Paul.

Another example is public-funded projects. “Let’s say that a government puts out a call for tenders for a dredging project; hard evidence for sustainability parameters such as CO2 reduction is a prerequisite for tenders like this. As such, if the dredging company can demonstrate that its propulsion system and stern seals are maintained by a B Corp company, I am sure that this will be beneficial.”

From the commercial point of view, however, here’s the point that you might not be expecting to hear. “We didn’t engage in the whole B Corp process of application, assessment and certification for commercial gain: to win new customers,” says Paul. “We really don’t know if we will secure more customers, we believe that it’s the right thing to do.” This is a notably intrinsic point of view: “All our shareholders, all our board of directors, and 82% of our employees believe in this.”

Looking down the supply chain towards its suppliers, Paul anticipates two major impacts of AEGIR’s B Corp certification. The first relates to sustainable relationships. “This is more than about building a long-term customer/supplier relationship,” he notes. “It’s about creating partnerships.”

Zooming out to get a wider picture of the maritime industry, it is noteworthy that very few companies in the marine industry are a certified B Corp. “We hope that more will join,” says Paul. “One single company can’t change the world, which is why B Corp companies form a global community that lead a movement for change.” AEGIR-Marine views B Corp certification as just one milestone on the road towards increasing sustainability rather than the finish line of one single race. With this in mind, does the company hope that other maritime companies are encouraged to become a B Corp? “It’s not important that all maritime companies become a B Corp,” answers Paul. “But it is important that all companies become as sustainable as possible – not only by taking care about the environment, but also about people and the community.”

“I hope that by showing we have taken action, other companies realise that you don’t need to be ‘greener than green’ to be part of the B Corp movement. We are just a marine service provider changing a small part of the industry – maybe the first small ripples of change. It would be fantastic if we can make other maritime companies enthusiastic for this subject.”