Synergy Group, a Singapore-based ship manager, earned the first Green Award certificate given to a container ship, the company said.

The company earned the certificate for its Cap San Maleas vessel, a seven-year-old, 131,095 dead-weight tonnage ship.

Surveyors for the Green Award, an organization based in the Netherlands, awarded Synergy Group the certificate after performing a quality, safety and environmental performance audit.

“The Green Award is designed to independently recognise ship managers that see it as their duty to owners and the environment to reach the pinnacle of excellence on environmental performance, so we are delighted to be the first manager to achieve such a standard for container ship management,” said Captain Rajesh Unni, Synergy Group founder and CEO.

The Green Award audit process includes a full office audit to “observe the company’s management system and its operational policies and procedures,” according to the company.

The office audit is followed by a two-stage ship survey, which incorporates a documentation review and a survey onboard the ship.

Green Award-certified companies are entitled to various incentives designed to encourage socially responsible behavior, including discounts on port dues, maritime-related services and equipment, and extra recognition across various industry databases.

Green Award certificates are valid for three years.

Synergy Group operates more than 500 ships and employs more than 18,000 seafarers. The company network spans 13 countries.