Hurtigruten Expeditions highlight sustainable strategies for tourism sector

Ahead of Earth Day on Thursday 22nd April, Hurtigruten Expeditions, a leader in sustainable cruising, is highlighting how tourism operators and travellers can create a positive impact each and every day with food waste strategies and moving towards hybrid power.  

Damian Perry, Managing Director of Hurtigruten Asia Pacific notes that the environment is central to all of Hurtigruten Expeditions’ operations adding “our policies are aimed at protecting nature, wildlife and local communities, preventing ocean and atmospheric pollution, and sharing knowledge with our guests.

“Hurtigruten Expeditions has a history of more than 125 years and in more recent decades, our Captains and crew, expedition teams and returning guests have witnessed the impact of climate change on vulnerable polar areas. Because of this, sustainability is now at the heart of who we are and what we do.

“Everyone can help out this Earth Day, starting with food waste.”

Reducing food waste through innovation

Food procurement and service monitoring

With Hurtigruten serving more than four million meals in a usual year, even a tiny reduction in food waste can make a huge difference.

For Hurtigruten, tiny is not enough. That’s why the cruise line has pledged to reduce food waste by up to 30% by 2021. Hurtigruten has implemented a digital registration and real-time measurement scheme for all stages of food production to collect the data needed to minimise waste, and early results show Hurtigruten can expect a more-than 30 per cent reduction.

Making food systems more sustainable

Hurtigruten has entered into a partnership with the EAT Foundation, a Swedish-based non-profit dedicated to making the food chain more sustainable and fair for both people and planet. The partnership aims to explore further initiatives for making Hurtigruten’s food systems more sustainable and broadening its onboard food offerings.

Food traceability

Hurtigruten maintains a ban on all non-sustainably caught seafood, and demands third-party certification of all fish purchased (MSC, ASC or equivalent).

Hurtigruten’s top three food strategy tips

1. Don’t buy more than you need when it comes to groceries and keep track of what you’ve bought and used. Hurtigruten suggests taking a ‘shelfie’ – a photo of your fridge and cupboards to remind you of what’s there.

2. Check the use-by dates of fresh food when you buy it. These are the dates to take notice of, rather than the best-before dates.

3. Only buy what you can use before it expires. 

Perry also highlights that with the environment being central to all of Hurtigruten Expeditions’ operations there is a focus on hybrid technology and innovation.

Perry adds “at Hurtigruten, sustainability is always at the forefront of our minds and with our world-first hybrid-powered ships MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen, we continue to lead the way in the cruise industry.

“These high-tech vessels reduce carbon emissions on the ships by 20%, setting an example we hope others will follow.”

Hybrid technology & innovation

Science, innovation & technology

As Hurtigruten Expeditions enters a new era of adventure travel driven by sustainability, the company has committed to setting and raising the standards for industry to follow, with the ultimate goal being to operate all cruise ships completely emission free.

Fighting climate change through innovation

In addition to introducing the world’s first hybrid-powered cruise ships, Hurtigruten is testing and powering ships with green biofuel made from organic waste. There are more than 300 cruise ships in the world and the daily emissions from one single vessel operating on heavy fuel oil can be equivalent to one million cars. This needs to change.

Banning heavy fuel oil

Because of the reliance on heavy fuel oil (HFO), the shipping industry is a huge contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly SOx, NOx and CO2. Other pollutants, such as particulate matter and black carbon also contribute to global warming in the Arctic and cause environmental damage in other ways. Hurtigruten stopped using HFO over a decade ago and has been encouraging the rest of the industry to do so. With leading environmental partners such as the Clean Arctic Alliance and the European Climate Foundation, Hurtigruten is spearheading the #HFOFreeArctic campaign to ban the use of HFO in Arctic waters.

MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen

Named after legends of the golden age of polar exploration, Hurtigruten’s revolutionary hybrid-powered ships are the standard bearers of what will be the world’s greenest expedition cruise fleet. They are equipped with large battery packs to significantly cut emissions and are packed with cutting-edge green technology, feature innovative environmental solutions, and have improved hull and bow designs.

Hurtigruten’s top three tips

1.Drive less – bike or walk more.

2. Use long-lasting, energy-efficient light bulbs which help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It also helps to switch off the light when you leave the room.

3. Reduce, reuse and recycle. Follow the three ‘R’s to conserve natural resources and landfill space. 

Hurtigruten Expeditions has a history of 127 years and in more recent decades, Captains and crew, expedition teams and returning guests have witnessed the impact of climate change on vulnerable polar areas. Because of this, sustainability is now at the heart of Hurtigruten’s identity and operations.

For further information visit www.hurtigruten.com.au