Wärtsilä joins global Sustainable Shipping In...

Wärtsilä Corporation, Trade &Technical Press release, 15 December 2010

Wärtsilä, the marine industry's leading solutions provider, has joined the
Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI), a programme initiated by Forum for the
Future. The initiative brings together the industry's leading organizations to
show what can - and must - be done for shipping to contribute to, and benefit
from, a sustainable future.

This global taskforce gives leading industry players, and their supply chain
stakeholders, a framework for assessing the extent of their sustainability
challenges. By understanding their role in a sustainable future, companies can
gain a competitive advantage and support the development of good policy in the
process. SSI was founded earlier this year by Forum for the Future in
collaboration with WWF, Maersk Line, BP Shipping, Lloyd's Register, Gearbulk,
and ABN Amro.

The shipping industry will be profoundly affected by strategic megatrends,
notably climate change and new weather patterns, oil shortages and carbon taxes,
changing markets and cargoes - particularly in Asia, piracy and marine
governance, new ship designs, as well as other technological developments. The
SSI will help participants to prepare for, influence, and take advantage of
these trends, and play a leading role in shaping the future of the industry.

Members, drawn from throughout the industry, will explore how best to react to
these megatrends, and prepare a case for action as a resource for the entire
industry. This will set the agenda for creating a vision of a sustainable
shipping industry and a plan to create a step change in the social,
environmental and economic sustainability of the shipping industry.

Today, Wärtsilä joins the initiative along with other new members: Cargill, a
charter fleet operator with more than 300 vessels; South Korea's Daewoo
Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, one of the world's biggest shipbuilders; Rio
Tinto Marine, the shipping arm of the mining giant; RSA, one of the world's top
four marine insurers; and the high-profile Greek tanker operator Tsakos Energy
Navigation.

"The Sustainable Shipping Initiative has set out to transform an industry which
plays an essential role in global trade and affects the lives of billions of
people," said Jonathon Porritt, founder director of Forum for the Future. "The
growing number of elite international companies coming on board shows that
industry leaders understand sustainability is crucial to their future success."

"The quality of these new members is a testimonial to the growing importance of
promoting sustainable shipping, both to the industry and to society at large,"
said Tom Boardley, Marine Director, Lloyd's Register. "Their addition will
deepen the expertise of the group as we look for solutions that will help the
industry to improve its business performance, while at the same time lessening
our collective carbon footprint."

CEOs and board-level representatives will launch the case for action at a
members' summit in 2011. The ultimate goal is to mobilise support across the
industry for an action plan, which may include technical and engineering
initiatives, policy proposals, development programmes for industry leaders, and
marketing and communications plans.

"Wärtsilä powers every third ship, and services every second ship sailing the
world's seas. Providing sustainable solutions is the cornerstone of Wärtsilä's
commitment to the shipping industry," said Jaakko Eskola, Group Vice President,
Wärtsilä Ship Power. "This initiative is an excellent opportunity for Wärtsilä
to contribute towards ensuring that shipping remains in the future as the most
sustainable way of transporting goods over long distances."

For further information, please contact:

Mrs Andrea Hernandez
Director, Ship Power Business Intelligence
Wärtsilä Corporation
tel. +358 10 709 5552
[e-mail]

Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the marine
and energy markets. By emphasising technological innovation and total
efficiency, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the
vessels and power plants of its customers.
In 2009, Wärtsilä's net sales totalled EUR 5.3 billion with more than 18,000
employees. The company has operations in 160 locations in 70 countries around
the world. Wärtsilä is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland.
www.wartsila.com

Forum for the Future in brief
Forum for the Future is the UK's leading sustainable development NGO. It works
internationally with government, business and public service providers, helping
them to develop strategies to achieve success through sustainability, to deliver
products and services which enhance people's lives and are better for the
environment, and to lead the way to a better world.
www.forumforthefuture.org







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Source: Wärtsilä Oyj Abp via Thomson Reuters ONE

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