(credit: Port of Stockholm).
The Cruise Baltic partners continued sustainable initiatives in 2020 despite an uncertain year. Photo credit: Ports of Stockholm.
An ambitious Sustainability Manifesto was created together with all partners of Cruise Baltic in 2019 as a joint vision towards a more sustainable region. The annual follow-up on the manifesto, the Cruise Baltic Sustainability Report 2020, reveals that despite an uncertain year without many cruises, the partners in the network continued their sustainable efforts and investments in 2020.
In 2019, an ambitious Cruise Baltic Sustainability Manifesto was created together with all partners of Cruise Baltic as a joint vision towards a more sustainable region and to make cruising a sustainable vacation offer in 2030. The Sustainability Report 2020 is the annual follow-up on the objectives of the manifesto and reflects the most relevant sustainable initiatives taken by the Cruise Baltic ports and destinations during 2020.
“2020 has been a year like no other and the pandemic has influenced the sustainable initiatives taking place at the Cruise Baltic ports and destinations. Despite a year without many cruises and with an uncertain future in sight, we are pleased that many ports and destinations have continued their efforts and investments in making the region the most sustainable cruise region in the world,” says Claus Bødker, Director of Cruise Baltic.
Sustainability continues to play a key role
The newly published Cruise Baltic Sustainability Report 2020 reveals that, despite a difficult year for the ports and destinations in the region, the sustainability plans are still prioritized. For instance, shore power is high on the agenda. In 2020, Rostock in Germany has constructed a shore power installation and will be ready to offer shore power to cruise lines in 2021. Stockholm in Sweden and Helsinki in Finland are ready to invest in shore power, Oslo in Norway is working on a pilot project, and Gothenburg in Sweden as well as the two Danish cities Copenhagen and Aarhus have all begun investigating the possibility.
“The cruise industry had to adjust to a new reality with the outbreak of the COVID-19, and the situation is still uncertain. It is very positive to see that the ports and destinations, despite the difficult year, keep the sustainable spirit high. The partners continue their sustainable plans, and some ports have even decided or are in the process of deciding on big investments such as shore power,” says Claus Bødker.
The initiatives in 2020 were many. From a research project in Tallinn, Estonia, which resulted in discussions on how to reduce bus traffic between port and city – to extending the cruise season, where especially Roenne in Denmark very actively promotes winter tourism. Other efforts and investments in 2020 include more green shore excursions including tours away from the most crowded places, making port-city infrastructure as seamless as possible, as well as studies on emissions, waste initiatives and electric busses.
Despite the uncertain future, sustainability continues to play a key role to strengthen the cruise industry in the Baltic Sea Region. The different initiatives to become more sustainable continues throughout the network and the vision remains the same: Making cruising a sustainable vacation offer in 2030.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
