Holland America line gets green award

Holland America Lines Noordam in Venice

Holland America Line named 2014 Marine Environmental Business of the Year by Port of Seattle

Company praised for sustainable seafood programme and natural resource conservation

Holland America Line was named the 2014 Marine Environmental Business of the Year by the Port of Seattle.

Port commissioner Courtney Gregoire presented the award to Keith Taylor, senior vice president, fleet operations, at the Seattle Propeller Club’s Maritime Festival aboard Carnival Miracle, which was docked at Port of Seattle.

The cruise line was recognized for its efforts to reduce its global environmental footprint through a series of objectives that greatly reduce consumption of fuel and water, engine emissions and generation of solid waste, along with increasing recycling across its fleet of 15 ships.

 "Holland America Line is a company that takes corporate citizenship to heart, and we are honoured to be recognised by the Port of Seattle for our efforts," said Stein Kruse, Holland America Line’s president and chief executive officer. "We remain steadfast in a firm belief that we can grow our company while employing responsible business practices for sustainable ship operations — and keep improving on our efforts."

 Holland America Line also was named Environmental Business of the Year in 2010 and this year received the highest level of the Green Gateway Partner Award from the Port of Seattle in March 2014 for its use of shore power and comprehensive practices to reduce emissions. Every year Holland America Line sets goals and targets for its fleet that include decreasing fuel consumption, conserving energy, reducing the loss of refrigerant gasses, increasing recycling and decreasing water use.

The only cruise line recipient of the Rear Admiral William M. Benkert Environmental Protection Award from the U.S. Coast Guard in 2012, Holland America Line’s ships meet or exceed all provisions of the international regulations governing the environmental management of marine operations. But the company aims for superior environmental performance while operating responsibly via a firm promise to reduce all forms of pollution through improved policies, scientifically sound practices, consistent training of employees and innovative technology.

The company is among the pioneers in the maritime industry when it comes to investing in technology to reduce engine emissions while a ship is at berth. Six of the 15 Holland America Line ships — ms Amsterdam, ms Veendam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdan, ms Westerdam, and ms Zuiderdam — use shore power at the ports of Seattle, San Diego and Port Metro Vancouver.

Holland America Line has a partnership with Marine Conservation Institute, a globally focused non-profit organization based in Washington State dedicated to maintaining healthy, living oceans. The programme includes guest and staff education, funding for marine conservation biology research, and a sustainable seafood programme with environmentally responsible purchasing practices and menus that showcase sustainable seafood.

"Congratulations to the more than 16,000 worldwide employees at Holland America Line for receiving this esteemed award," said Courtney Gregoire, co-President of the Port of Seattle Commission. "Through hard work and dedication, Holland America Line has made a true commitment to environmental stewardship."

Holland America Line got a ‘B’ in the Cruise Report Card in the Sustainable Tourism Report, which put it second from top to Disney. Offer HERE

Valere Tjolle

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