
Operational
Health, safety and security risks
As a result of our core operations,
Wallenius Wilhelmsen is exposed to
safety risks arising from both its sea and
land operations. Our key safety risks are
incidents onboard and related to vessels
such as fire and outbreak of contagious
diseases. The key risks at our land-
based operations mainly relate to the
handling and treatment of vehicles and
machinery and undesired breaches to
perimeters of our terminals and other
facilities.
As other companies in the shipping
industry, Wallenius Wilhelmsen risks
exploitation by criminal organizations
involved in for instance smuggling of
narcotics and human traffickers.
We believe all accidents are avoidable
and seek to mitigate these risks through
respective management systems and
safety culture initiatives. The systems
include a sharp focus on training,
updating routines and processes and
measures designed to secure
continuous compliance with health,
safety and security regulations.
Frequent and regular emergency
response drills, toolbox talks and risk
assessments are run to reduce these
risks.
The group monitors key performance
indicators and performs root cause
analysis of undesired events to identify
and prevent potential risks. For further
information, please see the Social
chapter in this annual report..
Please see the Social chapter in this
annual report for more information on
possible consequences and scenarios
Risk trend: Stable
Cyber security
Cyber-attacks and attacks on our
operational systems are identified as an
important risk due to increasing attacks
in the maritime sector, with a significant
rise in OT vulnerabilities due to IoT
connectivity and geopolitical tensions.
Together with partnerships with leading
industry players, Wallenius Wilhelmsen
has protection tools and mechanisms in
place. We are stepping up our initiatives
and target operating model development
for an uplift in cyber security capabilities,
including Maturity assessments of cyber
security in OT environments on vessels,
ports, and facilities.A Business
Continuity Management System will be
implemented in 2025.
Please also see Security and
emergency response in Principles of
governance section.
Cyber operations targeting port entities
causing significant congestion and
delays. Causing loss of control of
vessel(s) or significant downtime in
vessel operations. Replacement of
potentially compromised ICT systems.
Non-compliance towards new
regulations such as the EU’s NIS2
Directive and IACS standards.
Risk trend: Increasing
Operational disruption and congestions
During 2024, global supply chain
disruptions continued to create
challenges to logistical planning. Due to
the security situation in the southern
parts of the Red Sea, all vessels were
re-routed to avoid the area from
December 2023 and onwards.
Other areas of concerns are US West
Coast & Brunswick congestion (mainly
due to lack of yard space for import
volume), Industrial actions (strike) by
dockworkers (stevedores) etc
We continue to monitor the Red Sea
situation closely and stay in direct
consultation with marine authorities,
industry bodies and all relevant
counterparts.
Sustained port congestions cause
vessel delays and pose a risk to
operations and the overall fleet utilization
and lifting capacity.
Shortage in tonnage supply when vessel
days are lost in waiting also entails high
opportunity cost.
Risk trend: Stable
Environmental risks
The environmental risks are mainly
related to our vessels and include risks
such as oil spills through bunkering,
chemical handling and most severely, in
case of fire, explosion, collision and
grounding.
To reduce these risks, we conduct
frequent emergency response drills,
toolbox talks and risk assessments. We
monitor key performance indicators and
performs root cause analysis of
undesired events to identify and prevent
potential risks.
The management systems prioritize
training, routines and measures
designed to ensure continuous
compliance with environmental
regulations.
Please see the Environment section of
this report for further information.
Risk trend: Stable
What is the risk How we manage the risk Possible consequences and scenarios
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Wallenius Wilhelmsen – Annual Report 2024 35