OREANDA-NEWS. At a reception June 1, 2015, the Port of Seattle presented Holland America Line with a Green Gateway Award. The cruise line was recognized for its commitment to protecting the environment, including the practice of not discharging ballast water in Puget Sound and for using marine sanitation devices on board its vessels.

The Port of Seattle presents the Green Gateway Awards to cruise and container lines that call at the port and whose environmental efforts are deemed worthy of recognition.

“Holland America Line is firmly committed to environmental stewardship, and it’s an honor to once again be recognized by the Port of Seattle with a Green Gateway Award,” said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president. “We take great pride in our efforts to reduce our impact on the environment, and we’ll continue to focus on ways to responsibly sail the world’s oceans while offering exceptional cruise vacations to our guests.”

Last year Holland America Line received the Green Gateway Award from the Port of Seattle for its use of shore power and comprehensive practices to reduce emissions. Holland America Line also was named the 2014 Marine Environmental Business of the Year by the Port of Seattle and the Seattle Propeller Club. The company was honored for its efforts to reduce its global environmental footprint through a series of objectives that greatly reduce consumption of fuel and water, engine emissions and generation of solid waste.
 
A Long Partnership
Holland America Line ships have been sailing from the Port of Seattle since the 1970s. In May 2002, Holland America Line began using Seattle as a home port for Alaska cruises. This year the company has three ships based in Seattle sailing 47 Alaska cruises from May through September.

Seattle, the Green Gateway
Seattle offers the lowest carbon footprint for cargo shipped by sea from Asia to major markets in the Midwest and East Coast, making it the “Green Gateway” for trade. That designation was determined by the "Carbon Footprint Study of the Asia to North America Intermodal Trade" conducted by Herbert Engineering Corp., which looks at CO2 emissions of intermodal shipments from Asia to North American markets.

Holland America Line’s Environmental Achievements and Accolades
Holland America Line’s ships meet or exceed all provisions of the international regulations governing the environmental management of marine operations. But the company aims for superior environmental performance while operating responsibly via a firm promise to reduce all forms of pollution through improved policies, scientifically sound practices, consistent training of employees and innovative technology.
 
Holland America Line is among the pioneers in the maritime industry in investing in technology to reduce engine emissions while a ship is at berth. Six of the 15 Holland America Line ships —

ms Amsterdam, ms Veendam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam and ms Zuiderdam — use shore power at the ports of Seattle, San Diego and Vancouver.

In addition to the Green Gateway Award, the company also received the 2014 Blue Circle Award from Port Metro Vancouver for the fifth consecutive year for its commitment to the environment, and the 2012 Rear Admiral William M. Benkert Environmental Protection Award from the U.S. Coast Guard. Holland America Line was named among the 2015 World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute for its commitment to high ethical standards.

Through the “Our Marvelous Oceans” partnership with the Marine Conservation Institute that began in 2010, Holland America Line educates guests and crew about marine conservation issues, including a new focus on marine protected areas. The cruise line and the Marine Conservation Institute also continue to work together to source sustainable seafood for Holland America Line.