Finnlines wins award for sustainable tourism
Finnlines Plc, Helsinki, 18 October 2024
Finnlines wins award for sustainable tourism
Finnlines has been honoured with the 2024 Skål Sustainable Tourism Award in the ‘Touristic Mobility’ category for their commitment to sustainable maritime travel. The trophy was presented during the Opening Ceremony of the 83rd Skål World Congress in Izmir, Turkey.
Recognised for its sustainability efforts within maritime transport, Finnlines was awarded by Skål International, a global association of travel and tourism professionals established in 1934. Following evaluation, Finnlines won in the “Touristic Mobility” category, which assessed sustainable travel and innovation in mobility. The judge’s assessment criteria included the environmental, social and economic aspects of the applicants. Finnlines’ application emphasised the new Superstar class vessels, with sustainability considered throughout the design process, from technical construction to the selection of individual suppliers. In addition, Finnlines also received the “Skål Biosphere Sustainable Special Award”, which was awarded by Biosphere Tourism and the Responsible Tourism Institute.
The award ceremony took place on October 17, during the Opening Ceremony of the Skål World Congress in Izmir. Johanna Luoma, Finnlines’ Environment and Sustainability Manager, was present to accept the award on behalf of the company.
‘It is truly rewarding to be recognised for our long-term and daily efforts. Moreover, it has been inspiring to connect with other committed professionals in this field, and I will be leaving with renewed motivation to further advance our sustainable initiatives,’ said Johanna Luoma.
Finnlines commitment to sustainability
Finnlines is dedicated to providing services that are both economically sustainable and environmentally friendly. The shipping company continuously reduces its environmental footprint and aligns with the UN’s International Maritime Organization’s target to reduce ships’ carbon intensity by 40 per cent by 2030. Finnlines has already decreased its fleet’s carbon intensity by 32 per cent compared to the 2008 baseline and is committed to an annual reduction of 2 per cent.
In 2023, Finnlines reduced the carbon intensity of its vessels by nearly 8 per cent compared to 2022. One big factor that contributed to the reduction was the introduction of the first Superstar class ro-pax vessel, Finnsirius, in autumn 2023. Finnsirius, along with its sister ship Finncanopus, which began operations early 2024, is equipped with modern energy-saving technologies and a hybrid function with a shore power connection. The vessels provide transportation between Finland, Åland and Sweden for both passengers and cargo with a significantly smaller carbon footprint per transport unit than the previous vessels on the route.
Skål International
Skål International is an Affiliated Member of the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), whose mission is to promote responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism. Skål International has organised the Sustainable Tourism Awards since 2002, following the UN’s declaration of that year as the International Year of Ecotourism. The awards aim to showcase best practices in sustainable tourism across the globe.
The Skål Sustainable Tourism Awards feature eight categories this year, including Accessible Tourism, Accommodation, Community and Government Projects, Educational and Social Programs, Land and Marine Biodiversity, Major Tourist Attractions, Tour Operators-Travel Agents, and Touristic Mobility.
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Finnlines Plc
Finnlines is a leading shipping operator of freight and passenger services in the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the Bay of Biscay. The company is a part of the Grimaldi Group, one of the world’s largest operators of ro-ro vessels and the largest operator of the Motorways of the Sea in Europe for both passengers and freight. This affiliation enables Finnlines to offer liner services to and from any destination in the Mediterranean, West Africa, North and South America as well as Asia and Australia.