Reflections on 2021

February 25, 2022 Back to news

This year has been a year of firsts, and one which sets a clear direction for the future of Ardmore Shipping.

2021 began with the launch of the Energy Transition Plan, which focuses on three elements: technology, projects and sustainable cargoes. By creating a clear pathway, Ardmore is also setting out its clear sense of purpose; to play a pivotal role in the energy transition by leading the way toward true sustainability as a tanker company.

Reflective of its core strategy, Ardmore also confirmed a new partnership with Carl Buettner – taking on the commercial management of four chemical tankers on behalf of the Bremen-based shipowner.

Ardmore believes in the evolution towards greener, more sustainable, non-fossil fuel cargoes, which already makes up 25% of the business. It is anticipated that when the tanker market eventually moves to 50% non-fossil cargoes, it will also represent the bulk of our business, potentially in the region of 80% to 90%.

Action, rather than words, is far more powerful when it comes to demonstrating what matters to the business. This was reflected in our investment in methanol-to-hydrogen technology through a partnership with private equity firm Maritime Partners and Element 1 Corp.

Reflecting on the past year, Anthony Gurnee, CEO of Ardmore Shipping commented: “Although our core business is owning and operating product and chemical tankers, we work every day to innovate and devise new ways to sustain and improve our performance. In this project, we’re leveraging our existing strengths and providing what we think are potentially valuable technologies to the market and to the overall industry. It is all about performance and progress, interconnected.”

In addition, having seen first-hand how quickly the COVID situation in India was deteriorating earlier this year, Ardmore was proud to collaborate with the International Chamber of Shipping and the leading seafarer welfare charities to kick-start an emergency relief fund in order to support seafarers and their families devastated by COVID-hit areas across the world, with the initial focus on India.

The Seafarers International Relief Fund (SIRF) raised over US $1 million to provide some relief to the hundreds of thousands of affected seafarers, and their families. Ardmore believes in putting good intentions into action and changing the industry for the better, and the team is very proud of its role in this initiative.

Rounding off 2021, Tony Gurnee featured in Lloyd’s List Top 100 People, recognized for Ardmore’s new business strategy and its approach to decarbonization and industry progress. This achievement is shared by the entire team and highlights the action-based approach to uniting Ardmore’s commercial and operational sides.

Anthony Gurnee added: “We are looking forward to 2022, for what is sure to be an exciting year that brings further change and progress to our organization, our customers and the wider industry, as well as important steps forward towards our 2030 sustainability targets and beyond.”

For more information about our recent activities at Ardmore, click here: https://ardmoreshipping.com/news/