Cruise Baltic partners ink sustainable cruising manifestoCruise Baltic partners ink sustainable cruising manifesto

Important step

‘This is an important step towards creating a future, sustainable cruise industry,’ Jensen said.

‘Copenhagen alone has taken a lot of steps to achieve greener air within the city,’ he added, noting that carbon emissions are down 42% since 2005.

'The cruise industry is here to stay,' Jensen said, 'so we need to consider the environmental impact and focus on achieving a more sustainable future cruise industry.'

Follows on Green Cruise Port Action Plan

Speaking to Seatrade Cruise News, Capt. Michael McCarthy, chairman, Cruise Europe, and moderator of the conference, noted that for three years an Interreg Project was run in the Baltic involving the effect of cruise ships on the environment. Most of the Baltic ports took part in developing the Green Cruise Port Action Plan 2030, which details sustainability measures.

'So, in signing the agreement this morning,' McCarthy said, 'the partners are looking at a road map for the future to achieve the goals of the project. As chairman of Cruise Europe it was an honour to attend this morning with many other member ports.’

Goal: Offering world's most sustainable cruise experience

‘I am extremely proud that all the ports are backing this by signing the manifesto,' Cruise Baltic Director Claus Bødker added. 'We want to offer the most sustainable cruise experience in the world and this is a good way forward.'

The conference focused on the need for the cruise industry to play its part to reach a more sustainable environment. Topics included the environmental footprint of cruise vessels, focusing on air emissions, alternative energy solutions, whether the Baltics should have something similar to Norway's NoX Fundand the question of funding sustainability through differential fees.