Tuesday, May 20, 2025 - 10:12 by ce-press
With so many members of the cruise industry in town, it seemed an ideal time to put on an extra event with sustainability, integration and EU policies and regulations at centre stage.
Hot off the press was Cruise Ships: Environment & Climate, an initiative by Cruise Denmark - Copenhagen & Beyond (CDCAB) and which was researched and presented by environmental engineer, Kaare Press-Kristensen from Green Global Future.
Klaus Bondam, director CDCAB, says: “There are a lot of myths when it comes to tourism - also cruise tourism - so it is important to have a report showing facts and figures, when can we regulate and who is responsible for what”.
An example highlighted by Press-Kristensen was that air pollution from cruiseships in Copenhagen causes health costs of roughly €7.4 million which is 0.7 percent of the total health costs related to air pollution in Copenhagen. And that OPS connections in the port will reduce the health hazard pollution at berth by 95 percent.
Next up was Kjersti Aastad, city council secretary in the Oslo city council department of culture and business, who reviewed the sustainability policy, opening with: “Zero emission ports are not just a dream but a necessity. Oslo aims to decrease its greenhouse gas emissions by 95 percent by 2030, compared with 2009.” Adding: “For Oslo, cruise tourism is important. Cruise calls being reduced from four to two [in one day], reflects Oslo’s balanced approach for residents and visitors.”
Jens-Kristian Lutken, mayor of employment & integration, City of Copenhagen, made it clear that he is keen to see more flights and cruiseships coming to the Danish capital: “I don’t believe we should put restrictions on this industry but work together to find new solutions, for example OPS coming in Copenhagen in one month. I think there is opportunity to expand, for example into the Faroes and Greenland which is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark.”
Following a presentation at the CE conference the previous day, Heino Nau, coordinator - International Blue Economy, DG Maritime Affairs & Fisheries, EU Commission, expanded on EU policies and regulations and the new initiatives being undertaken, including the European Ocean Pact.
For example, he commented: “For the first time the EU will provide a single reference for oceans across all EU policy areas. With the EU Climate Law, we have already set the ground work to drive the green transition to climate neutrality in 2050. We know the challenges we face in decarbonisation. This is an economic opportunity in our eyes. The ambition is that European shipping and ports lead in green fuels, energy efficiency and technologies.
He continued: “A key initiative is the new maritime industrial strategy. The aim is to strengthen the competitive position of the European maritime industry across the entire value chain, looking for positive spillovers and industrial synergies. We have set ourselves a year to consult stakeholders to bring views and provide input and expertise so that we frame it right. This strategy has close links with the port strategy 2024 to 2029, which will look at all major issues: security including cyber, digitalisation, energy transition and military mobility.”
Another initiative, and to be presented in early 2026, is the EU tourism strategy for sustainable tourism. “All stakeholders will be consulted to design this strategy. To reach our goal, again funding will be key.”
A panel discussion followed, orchestrated by Bondam, with the audience chipping in with statements and questions. Nicolai Skogland, executive director, port operations & government relations at Viking Cruises, stated a goal that many in the room would support: “Cruise companies should be leading shipping and the Baltic should be a sustainable beacon for the rest of the world.”
Link to survey: https://www.wonderfulcopenhagen.com/cruise/press-room/sustainability-cruise-industry
