By
Laura Hyde |
Norwegian tour operator European Cruise Service (ECS) is on target to use emission-free transport during shore excursions for cruise guests in Norway by 2030 at the latest.
ECS has spent the last five years working towards achieving the targets set out in its zero-emission strategy, which has involved actively working to better distribute cruise traffic and ensure the industry positively impacts the local economy. In Norwegian ports, ECS offers sightseeing tours on a growing fleet of smaller electric vehicles. On some days in Bergen, Norway’s largest cruise port, up to 80 per cent of passenger transport is conducted with electric vehicles.
In collaboration with Cruise Lines International Association and Cruise Norway, ECS has created a Platform for sustainable cruise tourism in Norway, which has been presented to the Norwegian government’s destination committee. This platform details what is needed to reduce emissions, pollution and queues, as well as how cruise tourism in Norway can add value to the economy. It also stresses the need for infrastructure development for shore power systems and biofuel, as well as all land-based cruise passenger transport to become emission free.
“We have persisted in our strategy of delivering quality services and investing in the electrification of our transport services,” said Andreas Storl, ECS CEO. “This has paid off with solid recognition and strong growth in traffic in Norway. We’re very happy about that, particularly because cruises are a regional industry with extreme importance for destinations such as Flåm, Geiranger and the North Cape. Never have we sold more tickets for excursions in our regions. Our strategy is to get excursions emission free, here we can make a difference. We have chosen to take active steps and we have ambitions to be far ahead of the local development.”
ECS is working towards environmental certification with Travelife in 2023 and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council by 2024. The firm, which is based in Bergen and operates in Northern Europe and the British Isles, is establishing operations in Singapore and Hong Kong via its Singapore-based sister company, Navi Asia.