By David Ralph, chief executive, Haven Gateway

Is the environmental agenda a good opportunity for the North Sea Region’s cruise ambitions? Can the NSR lead the way as a ‘beacon for sustainable cruise’?

These were questions tackled by speakers and discussed by delegates at the very informative and thought-provoking GreenPort Cruise conference.

Organised in association with the EU Cruise Gateway project, in which the Haven Gateway is a core partner, the conference quickly established the rapid growth of the cruise sector and the huge opportunities this brings for the North Sea Region – but also highlighted some serious challenges ahead, for cruise lines and the ports that serve them.

Environmental concerns will pose the biggest challenge for the cruise sector over the next ten years, said cruise market consultant Tony Peisley, who was moderator of the conference.

Cruise ships – as any other ships – are under pressure to reduce emissions, pollution, waste. The ports serving them are under pressure to support the ships in becoming ‘greener’, as well as being ‘green’ themselves. As several speakers highlighted, cruise ports need to provide adequate facilities for discharging waste water and garbage; ensure maximum recycling of waste brought ashore; consider installing shoreside LNG supplies; and support the cruise lines looking for more environmentally friendly excursions for the passengers. 

Unfortunately, one conclusion seems to be that while everyone wants to be green, not many want to pay the price.

Peter Antoni, head of sales and marketing at the destination management company C&T, said: Everybody wants more efficiency and sustainability and cleaner cities. The problem comes with reality; everything has a price tax and suddenly that ‘yes’ isn’t that large anymore.”

But leaving aside the doom or gloom, there is a real opportunity for the North Sea Region cruise ports – including Harwich.

As a speakers considering environmental certification as a USP for North Sea Region ports, I asked the question: “If you think about the NSR and cruise, what does that bring to mine? Probably rough weather, grey-brown sea instead of deep blue … but maybe it should bring into mind a fantastic diversity of landscapes, the world’s great cities, culture, food, and incredible proximity to each other. We are very well placed to provide a green, highly efficient, environmentally sustainable model.”

U.S. passengers like to count countries – what better opportunity than to skip through the NSR and get up close and personal to world-class cities? It looks like a very green option to me.

There was good advice from the European Cruise Council, whose technical, environmental and operational director, Rob Ashdown, said: “As environmental costs become a real driver for shipping lines, ports need to allow ships to deliver environmental changes as cheaply and effectively as possible. What you do will set your port apart. Manage waste streams; recycle; supply good water; provide everything they need to be a green operator.”

Being part of projects such as Cruise Gateway gives us invaluable opportunities to raise our profile at a European and even wider level. This was the perfect platform to promote Harwich International Port as the only cruise port in the UK with direct rail access to the Olympic Games sites for 2012, as well as learn how we can maximise the opportunities on offer.