I often speak of the importance of Safety, and I cannot stress this enough. At VARO Energy, Safety is our highest priority - for our employees, contractors and customers alike.
Severe incidents represent the worst possible outcome for any organisation and have a deep impact on all of us and our loved ones. Yet, industry research consistently underscores that these incidents could have been prevented by adhering to straightforward, life-saving rules.
That is why, as part of our safety policy, we have also incorporated the 9 Life-Saving Rules, as defined by the IOGP (International Association of Oil & Gas Producers). These rules are considered “life critical” and relate to activities that - if not executed correctly every time - pose a significant risk. I believe that it is important to foster, across our industry, a common understanding around these rules and a standard for their implementation.
At VARO - whether in our manufacturing sites, terminals or logistical operations and offices - we aim to create a culture where safety is not just a rule, but a way of life. A culture where everyone is empowered to STOP WORK whenever conditions and behaviours are considered to be unsafe. This is our collective commitment, and we are proud to live by it, every day.
At VARO, safety is of utmost importance for our employees, contractors and customers alike. This is why we are proud to introduce the Nine Life Saving Rules. The rules are simple but crucial. They are part of our daily routines and help reinforce a culture of safety in which we are jointly responsible for each other's well-being. By implementing these rules, fatal accidents and very serious accidents can be prevented. Here are the rules. Work authorization Do not carry out work without a valid work permit. Before starting work, verify for work permit is required. Understand its content and ensure all hazards have been identified and appropriate measures taken. 2 Energy Isolation Ensure that energy cannot be released uncontrolled or unexpectedly. Before starting work on energy carrying systems, check that all energy sources are identified, separated, locked, tagged. Then no residual energy is left. Three bypassing safety controls. Never bypass safety controls without the required authorization. Know the safety critical systems in your working area and always follow the applicable procedures which apply to your task 4. Line of Fire Keep yourself and others out of the line of fire at all times. Take measures to secure dangerous situations or shield them by means of physical barriers and or signalling. 5. Confined space Do not enter a confined space without the necessary authorization. Check safety in advance by ensuring that the space is separated from energy sources, that the atmosphere is safe and monitored, and that a safety guard is present with a rescue plan. 6 Hot work First check all ignition sources and combustible materials. Remove or secure them to minimize risks for form a gas. Tests to clear the workplace and continuously monitor for flammable gas. Ensure permission is obtained before hot work is carried out. Seven Working at height Do not carry out work at height without fall protection. Before starting work at height check your personal and or collective fall protection and ensure that tools and materials. Cannot Fall 8. Safe Mechanical Lifting Do not carry out any lifting or hoisting work without proper qualifications and careful planning. Before starting work, check the lifting equipment, the suitability of the load, and the presence of physical barriers and markings. 9. Driving Dr. Defensively and follow traffic rules. Always wear your seat belt, stick to the speed limit and avoid distractions such as phones while driving. Make sure you are fully rested, fit and alert when you set off, and take a break at any signs of fatigue. And finally, remember that everyone has the right to stop work if working conditions or behaviors are unsafe. Doing business safely is our top priority at Varo. Together with our employees, contractors, and customers, we make sure everyone works safely and goes home safe. These are the nine life saving rules of Varo. Thank you for living by them. Every day.
The similar collective commitment was created by you Dev in Turkey after an unfortunate accident and we all learned a life time lesson from that. Many young leaders are now performing in more responsible manner, we are proud of them, good to see leaving something behind.
We are excited to have supplied AIDAprima, a flagship vessel under the Carnival Cruises brand and a leader in the cruise industry, with 100% advanced Bio Marine Fuel (BMF100) for the first time.
Conducted near our Rotterdam office, this operation highlights our commitment to supporting marine customers in their decarbonisation efforts as the industry adapts to new regulations. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with AIDA Cruises and expanding our biofuel offerings in the ARA region and beyond.
#Biofuels#SustainableShipping#Decarbonization#EnergyTransition#sustainablecruising
♻️ INNOVATIVER BIOKRAFTSTOFF FÜR AIDAprima ♻️
#AIDAprima wurde im Port of Rotterdam erstmals mit 100-prozentigem erneuerbarem #Biokraftstoff (BMF100) betankt. 💚 Dabei handelt es sich um einen gemischten Biokraftstoff, der vollständig auf fortschrittliche Abfall- und Reststoffströmen basiert und nach Angaben des Anbieters VARO Energy eine Reduzierung der Treibhausgasemissionen um mindestens 85 Prozent im Vergleich zu herkömmlich fossilen Kraftstoffen ermöglicht.
„Im Mittelpunkt steht für uns dabei die Frage, mit welchen Technologien und Kraftstoffen wir die Dekarbonisierung der #Schifffahrt weiter vorantreiben können. Auf der Suche nach dem Treibstoffmix der Zukunft sammeln wir bereits seit 2022 mit dem Einsatz unterschiedlicher Biokraftstoffe wertvolle Erfahrungen💡. In enger Zusammenarbeit mit Experten aus Industrie und Wissenschaft entwickeln wir neue Ansätze, um den Ausstoß von Treibhausgasen kontinuierlich weiter zu reduzieren. 💪 Um eine nachhaltige Wirkung erzielen zu können, brauchen wir ein wachsendes Angebot, nicht nur an Biokraftstoffen, sondern weiteren alternativen Treibstoffen zu marktfähigen Preisen, die auch weltweit verfügbar sind,“ so Felix Eichhorn, Präsident bei #AIDA Cruises. Nach der Betankung in Rotterdam ist geplant, den neuen Biokraftstoff im regulären Schiffsbetrieb auf den kommenden Reisen von AIDAprima ab #Hamburg durch die Fjorde Norwegens zu testen. 🛳️
Für uns ist es wichtig, dass an Bord Biokraftstoffe der sogenannten zweiten Generation zum Einsatz kommen. Diese werden ausschließlich aus organischen Abfällen und Reststoffen produziert♻️. Neben der Reduzierung der Treibhausgasemissionen um mindestens 85 Prozent, ist ein weiterer Vorteil, dass Biokraftstoffe ohne größere Änderungen an den Motoren und der Tankinfrastruktur bestehender Schiffe eingesetzt werden können. 💙❤️💛💚
#aidacruises#biofuels#bettertogether
Last year, we announced plans to build a large-scale Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) manufacturing facility in Rotterdam. Since then, we have made significant progress, finalising the design and advancing the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) phase, set for completion in Q4 2024.
Today, we are pleased to announce that Gunvor Group Ltd will join us as a 50% partner in this project through a proposed joint venture.
SAF is a key element in the ONE VARO Transformation strategy, helping airline customers – one of the most hard-to-abate sectors – to decarbonise. This investment will enable VARO and Gunvor to produce SAF equivalent to 7% of the EU’s 2030 SAF mandate, significantly advancing the aviation sector's decarbonisation goals.
For more details, please see our press release here:
https://lnkd.in/g2-3YGKY
📢 Our 2023 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report is now available here:
https://lnkd.in/dhSgpMKW
Check out the report to learn how we are:
· Delivering energy security, affordability and accessibility.
· Developing sustainable energy businesses in e-mobility, biogas, hydrogen, biofuels and nature-based carbon removals.
· Investing USD 3.5 billion by 2026, with more than two thirds dedicated to sustainable energies.
We recognise there is still a way to go to achieve a sustainable future, but we are focused on building our integrated portfolio of conventional and sustainable energy solutions as the partner of choice for the energy transition.
#sustainability#esg#esgreporting#sustainabilityreporting#renewablefuels#renewableenergy#transition
Reflecting on a year of momentum for VARO🌟As we review our achievements in 2023, we are proud to share some of the key milestones in our journey towards delivering reliable, accessible, and sustainable energy.
Through collaborative efforts within our company and with our partners and customers, we remain dedicated to accelerating transformative changes in our industry.
Today we are celebrating #InternationalWomensDay at VARO Energy, and this year it is all about Inspiring Inclusion.
We are determined to build a more inclusive workplace, facilitate women’s professional development and inspire the next generation of women leaders – at VARO and beyond.
And there is no one better to explore these important themes than our Human Resources Director, Irene Franck. Irene tells us how she overcame bias to get to where she is today, and offers words of advice for aspiring young women looking to make their mark.
This year, we continue our efforts, with 22% Female Senior Managers (+6% vs. 2022) and the launch of our first VARO Women’s Network. This network is a platform for exchange, mutual support and development, facilitating women’s professional development in alignment with our 2030 diversity goals.
There is still much to be done, but we are up for the task!
#IWD2024#GenderEquality#Empowerment
Today, we are announcing a new strategic partnership with Orim Energy to provide shipping customers in Europe’s largest maritime hub, Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp, with long-term low carbon solutions.
VARO’s huge biofuels trading capabilities will complement Orim’s extensive distribution, storage and bunkering capabilities in Rotterdam – Europe’s largest port.
VARO has a long track record of providing biofuels for maritime logistics. Since 2018, the company has supplied the Port of Rotterdam with HVO100 for use with the Port’s service fleet. In 2023 VARO signed an agreement with Höegh Autoliners to supply the company with advanced biofuels for its shipping fleet.
This partnership is aligned with VARO’s strategy to become the partner of choice for customers in the energy transition by providing them with the low-carbon energy solutions they need to decarbonise.
Read our press release to learn more: https://lnkd.in/dWQ5eVta
Our customers are at the heart of everything we do at VARO Energy, and digital technology is a massive enabler in improving their experience.
Digital technology simplifies the customer experience with streamlined online platforms, personalised recommendations, real time information and task automation.
Our Customer Portal, myVARO, stands as a testament to our commitment to excellence. Tailor-made and designed to simplify and enhance the digital experience with:
- Access to real time information about market prices or status of orders and transactions
- Personalised experience for each customer
- Security and privacy measures
At VARO, we embrace the transformative potential of digital innovation to unlock substantial value for our customers, accelerating our progress towards being the energy partner of choice.
The latest version of our Customer Portal is live in Switzerland and Germany and is being rolled out across our network. I would like to extend my thanks to the VARO teams for ongoing efforts on this innovative and collaborative tool, and to our customers for their valuable feedback.
The road transportation sector represents one fifth of the EU's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. According to the IEA, to get on track for net zero emissions by 2050, CO2 emissions from the transport sector must fall by more than 3% per year to 2030.
Industry largely relies on commercial fleets to transport goods, traditionally powered via conventional fuels. I am proud of the part we, at VARO Energy, play through our e-Mobility strategy, to help decarbonise commercial road transportation by accelerating the electrification of commercial fleets.
A great example of this is the new e-truck charging hub - Antonie Bodaanweg (Waalhaven) - in the Port of Rotterdam, inaugurated earlier today. Initiated by the Port of Rotterdam and Truckparkings Rotterdam Exploitatie BV, this is the first of its kind in the heart of logistic Rotterdam and Europe’s largest port.
VARO Charging is proud to have partnered with Truckparkings Rotterdam, a market leader in secured truck parking, to operate this charging site. Offering a 24/7 charging solution, we ensure a sustainable energy supply for all battery-electric heavy-duty trucks and coaches. This is enabled via the software of Road, a key e-Mobility European company in which VARO holds the majority stake.
I would like to extend my thanks to the VARO teams that contributed to make this happen and especially to Sacha Konan, Country President Benelux, Florence Lebeau, our Brand Strategy Director and our e-Mobility colleagues Ruben Benders, Taco van Berkel, Stefan van den Bos.
This is another milestone in our growing e-Mobility business which is playing a leading role in partnering with customers to decarbonise mobility.
2024 will be a pivotal year for VARO Energy, as we further accelerate our ambition to be the energy transition partner of choice for our partners and customers.
Stepping into the new year, we have four key focus areas for our company:
· Operational excellence in our existing and new businesses
· Helping our customers in their needs for both energy security and energy transition through existing and new products and services
· Disciplined integration, and continuing momentum in delivery
· Partnerships that enable pace in the execution of our ONE VARO Transformation strategy
Today, I would like to highlight our long-standing partnership with the Port of Rotterdam, which exemplifies our commitment to help our customers decarbonise and reach net zero. Together we are accelerating the energy transition, even in the hardest-to-abate sectors.
We are working with the Port of Rotterdam to help decarbonise maritime transport and inland shipping in Europe’s largest port. Since 2018, the Port of Rotterdam has used VARO’s HVO100 (100% Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) for its service fleet. This biofuel is made entirely from sustainable materials, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 89% compared to conventional diesel.
This ‘drop-in fuel’ can be blended with conventional diesel in any proportion and is well suited for all existing diesel engines without modification. As a result, HVO is a highly accessible means of decarbonisation that is rapidly scalable at a relatively low cost.
Our partnership is testament of our commitment to drive change and shape a sustainable future through strategic collaborations.
Here’s to a year of prosperity, where businesses forge enduring partnerships, innovation, and sustainable success!
Zülfikâr Holding Yönetim Kurulu Üyesi
8moThe similar collective commitment was created by you Dev in Turkey after an unfortunate accident and we all learned a life time lesson from that. Many young leaders are now performing in more responsible manner, we are proud of them, good to see leaving something behind.