Hurtigruten Group, one of the World’s leading adventure expedition cruise ship companies, has opened its books on emissions and social responsibility in its recently released ESG Report. As well as confirming the company’s commitment to new science-based targets, the report flags the need to make emission reduction the number one goal for travel companies and also calls for greater transparency from the industry, especially from cruise ship operators.
The report highlights an issue about which Hurtigruten Group CEO, Daniel Skjeldam, is incredibly passionate.
“We operate in an industry which negatively impacts the environment. So, we have a collective responsibility to be more transparent and accountable when it comes to our natural and social impact. Sustainability is not a marketing exercise; it’s a core part of our business. It’s a licence to operate and, more importantly, it’s the right thing to do”.
It’s a philosophy that is clearly underpinned by action, with the report detailing how the Group’s three businesses – Hurtigruten Norway, Hurtigruten Expeditions and Hurtigruten Svalbard, each achieved their own ESG milestones in 2021.
Last year, Hurtigruten Expeditions launched its third battery-hybrid ship, MS Otto Sverdrup, while MS Fridtjof Nansen was awarded the world’s most sustainable ship by Scope ESG and Stern Magazine; Hurtigruten Norway set in motion plans to launch Europe’s most environmental fleet upgrade, which will see emissions and NoX from its operations reduce by 25% and 80% respectively; and Hurtigruten Svalbard partnered with Volvo Penta to develop it first hybrid day cruiser.
Commenting on the Report, Skjeldam adds, “I’m extremely proud of our colleagues both at land and sea for achieving many ESG successes despite operating in a pandemic. We have been a first mover on sustainability for decades, and we’ll continue to be a catalyst for change towards a greener travel industry – to protect what we love today, tomorrow and into the future.”
The Report also provides a clear articulation of Hurtigruten Group’s intentions regarding sustainable travel going forwards, with planned initiatives including the launch the first zero emission ship on the Norwegian coast by 2030, the transition to fully carbon neutral operations by 2040; and ultimately, for the Group to become completely emission free by 2050.
These targets are consistent with the Group’s long-standing commitment to strong corporate governance, proactive environmental stewardship and social responsibility, each of which are core components of its long-term business strategy and intended to create value for investors.
