Without a shared definition of “good” performance, even the most committed stakeholders struggle to measure progress. This article looks at how harmonised benchmarks such as RISQ and DryBMS can turn ESG leadership into an operational standard across global fleets.
You cannot reward what you cannot measure. The industry lacks a shared definition of “good safety, sustainability and crew-welfare performance.” 80 % of stakeholders say “good” performance isn’t clearly defined, and 79 % of solution providers agree current standards don’t adequately measure safety or sustainability technologies.
This opacity leaves leadership invisible in chartering decisions. The tanker and LNG/LPG sectors provide a benchmark, as their rigorous inspection regimes such as SIRE create higher safety baselines. However, SIRE does not yet encompass sustainability or crew-welfare considerations, leaving dry-bulk segments fragmented and cost-first.
Shared benchmarks and harmonisation
Initiatives by Intercargo, ICS, InterManager, ARCSOPT and the Dry Bulk Centre of Excellence (DBCE) advance frameworks like DryBMS to align expectations across charterers, terminals, and owners, embedding safety, sustainability, and operational excellence into daily practice.
Before full integration, these ESG criteria must be embedded into trusted tools such as SIRE, RISQ, the RightShip Safety Score, and GHG assessments. Once ESG investment data points are identified, they can be integrated seamlessly into existing systems, making performance visible and actionable without disruption.
The RightShip Inspection Ship Questionnaire (RISQ) demonstrates effective harmonisation. Tailored for vessel types, RISQ provides an evidence-based framework for assessing safety, operational integrity, and ESG performance, revealing the real condition and compliance of a vessel while giving charterers a reliable basis for vetting decisions.
Coalitions and transparency
Harmonisation could also advance through charterer coalitions, major charterers committing to shared ESG policies, for example pledging to charter only ships rated above a defined threshold by 2030. Such alignment would accelerate higher standards across vessel types.
.To explore how the maritime industry can anchor safety, sustainability, and crew welfare at the heart of vessel selection, read the full thought leadership report, From Pledges to Practice: Anchoring Safety, Sustainability, and Crew Welfare in Vessel Selection, commissioned by RightShip.
