On April 14, the Port of Seattle presented its sixth annual Green Gateway Partners Awards, which are given to cruise and container customers whose environmental programs and initiatives exceed regulatory requirements.
This year’s award winners were Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Holland America Line.
Carnival Cruise Line received the inaugural Program Innovator Award this year for a friendly competition and incentive program for its environmental team members that has led to improvement in waste reduction and recycling.
Celebrity Cruises was awarded for demonstrating a variety of environmental stewardship efforts that exceed regulations and industry standards, including use of fuel efficiency measures, wastewater management, water conservation practices and waste reduction/recycling.
Holland America Line was recognized with the port’s Technology Innovator award after making significant capital investments in its Seattle-based fleet, which has resulted in year over year reductions in fuel use and resultant greenhouse gases.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Princess Cruises was an awardee after demonstrating over the past year a variety of environmental stewardship efforts that exceed regulations and industry standards, such as measurable environmental targets to reduce fuel use, wastewater, water use and solid waste.
Princess Cruises’ use of shore power, fuel efficiency measures, wastewater management, water conservation practices, waste reduction/recycling and environmentally preferable purchasing were cited by the port as reasons it was being honored.
Royal Caribbean International’s Royal Caribbean Cruises according to the port, showed impressive measurable results in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water use and waste generation.
“These cruise lines prove by their everyday practices that you can be good environmental stewards while contributing to this region’s economy,” Port of Seattle Commissioner Courtney Gregoire said in a statement. “As we start another fantastic cruise season, we thank these cruise lines for making our planet a greener place.”
More information on the Port of Seattle’s environmental initiatives is available at http://www.portseattle.org/Environmental/Pages/default.aspx
