Pacific Spirit Marine Institute
Port of San Francisco Awards ‘Norwegian Sun’ Ship
Monday, June 4, 2007
Here is some good news on the cruise ship front!
The Port of San Francisco gave the Norwegian Sun it’s stamp of approval for deploying on-board environmental systems which help decrease pollution to both air and water.
The Port evaluates 3 categories:
- Air pollution
- Water treatment
- Recycling and disposal of solid waste
Bill Hamlin, Norwegian Cruise Line’s V.P. of fleet operations says, “…we have demonstrated our commitment to maintaining the highest level of environmental protection standards.”
The Port of Seattle has made it possible for cruise lines to plug into their publicly owned electric utility, City Light. (City Light is the first electric utility to attain a net-zero greenhouse gas emission.)
Princess Cruises and Holland America at the Port of Seattle are currently using shore power provided by City Light.
In Vancouver, where there are no strict rules on what type of fuel is burned while in port, ships calling are offered reduced port dues if they use cleaner burning fuels.
Cruising has developed into a strong ‘growth’ industry and it only makes sense to protect the ‘hand-that-feeds’ it. We hope as more ships are retired, the new ships being built to replace them will see state-of-the-art environmental technologies used.
What’s good for the sea is also good for the air. These are small, but expensive steps. We think they are necessary for the cruise industry to start taking in order to maintain growth and to protect the very environment it needs to operate.
More innovations and incentives need to be promoted by ports around the world such as The Port of San Francisco, The port of Seattle, and The Port of Vancouver are putting into place.
Princess Cruises, Holland America and Norwegian Sun are setting good examples. Still there is a long way to go toward reducing the negative impact these floating cities have on our oceans Eco-systems. Good stewardship of the residents of the seas, shores, and ships must become a priority in order for the cruise industry to continue to be vibrant and welcome.
Labels: City Light, Cruise Ships, Norwegian Sun, Port of San Francisco
© 2009, Pacific Spirit Marine Institute.
Port of San Francisco Awards ‘Norwegian Sun’ Ship
