Across the globe, the cruise industry is working to improve sustainability, to implement and develop new technology for cleaner, greener ships and to preserve the oceans and environments on which the industry depends.
The latest information on the greening of the global cruise fleet can be found here.
UK ports and service providers are also developing initiatives, harnessing new technology and rolling out improvements that allow them to fulfil customer requirements whilst reducing their carbon footprint and working to preserve the environment.
Below is just a snapshot of how Cruise Britain’s members are working to achieve carbon reduction goals and protect our environment.
IN ACTION
Excursions Ltd
- Head office relocation to A1 spec low energy office
- Participation in Travel Life sustainability programme
- Electric cars used for airport transfers and in large cities
- Low emission coaches used for all excursions plus a no idling policy
- Orkney office is 100% powered by renewable wind turbine energy
Falmouth Harbour
- Seagrass restoration project ongoing
- Blue Meadow buoys marking sensitive sea beds
- Introduction of Sea Walls Tiles to increase biodiversity
- Water quality monitoring device installed over the Flushing Seagrass bed in partnership with Natural England and Exeter University
- Environment – Falmouth Harbour, Cornwall
Greenock
- Introduction of fully electric STS cranes to replace diesel and HVO (2024)
- Switch all port vehicles from Diesel/petrol to Electric (2023)
- Switch from diesel to HVO for all container handling equipment (2022)
- Peel Ports Net Zero commitment for 2040
Port of Dover
- On target to achieve Net Zero on defined Scope 1 & 2 Emissions 2025 includes all port vehicles, plant, tugs, pilot boats, etc now run on biofuel
- Zero waste to landfill achieved in 2023 (excludes Cat 1 waste as per govt regs).
- Continuation of SeaAward recognising the cruise vessel’s performance on various waste management-related metrics
- Monitoring of water quality including bathing water
- Monitoring of marine ecology including trawling, benthic fauna, littoral surveys, marine mammal sightings, algae.
- Monitoring of terrestrial ecology including ground flora, ornithology.
- Monitoring of air quality
- Community relationship through maintenance of a large area of public realm along waterfront and promenade
Port of Southampton
- Shore power now available at two terminals and one terminal upgraded to take LNG ships
- Recycling: Nearly 100% of general garbage ships waste being recycled or sent for energy recovery
- Port Renewable Energy Generation: 7 Solar PV arrays including more than 7,000 solar panels
- Biosecurity Management on hulls to reduce the risk of invasive non-native species and provide fuel efficiency gains
- Electric Vehicle Fleet + EV charging points for passengers
- Street Lighting, High Mast Lighting and terminal LED upgrades
- Port Air Quality Monitoring and Strategy including rail upgrades and no idling; air quality across the port is 25% better than national target levels
- Cycling Infrastructure upgrades
- Beach Cleans
Portland Port
- Hybrid/electric vehicles: ongoing vehicle replacement
- Air quality survey
- Breakwater cleaning
- Aquatic Invasive Non-Native Species Plan
FUTURE
- Waste to energy for shore power
- Solar energy evaluation
Portsmouth International Port
- Introduction of HVO (2024). Replacing diesel on site, drop in fuel for remaining assets on diesel power
- Terminal extension (2023) carbon neutral terminal building
- Solar array (2022-2023) 1.2 MW peak system with battery
- Electric vans (2021) 4 new electric vans to replace fleet
- Shore power for tugs (2021) shore power at berth 1 for SMS tugs
- Air quality sensors (2021) monitoring AQ on site for over 3 years
- LED lighting (2020) installed across site
- Electric vehicle charging (2021) 4 staff, 2 public
- Low energy linkspans (2018) installed on berth 4
FUTURE PLANS
- Net-zero 2030
- Emissions free 2050
- Sea Change shore power (2025)
- LNG bunkering (2025)
- Under evaluation: wind turbines, additional solar, HGV Electric charger,future fuels
Seatrade
- On site sustainability assessment of stands and awards of Better Stands ratings
- Exhibitors can donate stand furniture to local charities
- Recycled carpets for event flooring
- Energy efficient LEDS for event lighting
- Quarterly review 100% digital
- Event catalogue 100% digital
- Charitable partner for all events is Mercy Ships
Solent Stevedores
- Electric forklift trucks: a fully electric fleet replacing diesel trucks
- Teletrucks: fully electric JCB teletrucks