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Holland America Line Environmental Commitment
Holland America Line demonstrates its commitment to responsible environmental practices through a comprehensive fleetwide program that emphasizes waste reduction and recycling, compliance with all international environmental guidelines and a decision to incorporate cleaner-burning propulsion technology into the line's new ships. Holland America Line's ships currently meet or exceed all provisions of the international regulations governing the environmental management of marine operations.
Environmental Management and ISO 14001 Certification
In June 2006, Holland America Line's Environmental Management System was certified to conform to the ISO 14001 standard by an independent registrar - Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance. The Environmental Management System is the collection of all environmental policies, training and procedures for every shipboard significant environmental aspect.
This certification recognizes Holland America Line's robust environmental standards, commitment to continual improvement and policy to prevent pollution. Success in achieving ISO 14001 certification is an important demonstration to guests, employees, stakeholders, and the communities in which Holland America Line sails, that we are responsible stewards of the environment.
Holland America Line's Environmental Management System requires an Environmental Officer on board each ship to provide environmental training and to oversee shipboard compliance with environmental laws, regulations, industry standards and company policies. The Environmental Officer reports directly to the ship's Master. Each ship in the fleet is further monitored and evaluated by aggressive environmental audit programs.
All crew members receive basic environmental training to assure they know the requirements and procedures necessary to protect the environment. Those with additional responsibilities receive further environmental training specific to their jobs. Every aspect of vessel operations, from the food preparation and hotel operations, to the navigation and ship operations on the bridge, to the engineering and maintenance activities in the engine room, are performed in a manner to minimize the impact on the environment while assuring a safe, comfortable and satisfying experience for guests.
To facilitate this task, corporate headquarters has an Environmental Management Systems department that provides training and guidance to the fleet. The Vice President of this department reports directly to the President and CEO.
Holland America Line - Seagoing Environmental Innovation
A true innovator when it comes to seagoing environmental protection, Holland America Line pioneered the use of "cascade bilge-water treatment systems" in which oily bilge water is treated by two separate systems before being discharged overboard in conformance with international, state or local requirements. Bilge water is the engine maintenance run off and condensation that collects in the ship's bilge. Enhanced maintenance practices also serve to minimize generation of bilge water.
The waste stream with perhaps the greatest potential environmental impact is sewage, also called black water. Black water comes from the toilets and from the drains and sinks of the infirmary. All vessels are equipped with certified Marine Sanitation Devices meeting the specification of international and U.S. Coast Guard requirements. In fact, most of Holland America Line's ships are fitted with ZENON or Rochem Advanced Waste Water Purification Systems that treat the black water with state of the art Reverse Osmosis and Bioreactor technology. These systems employ a series of filters and disinfecting steps to treat the black water - and grey, or shower and sink, water - before discharge to the sea. The resulting effluent exceeds the quality of most municipal treatment systems, and is clean enough to meet the drinking water standards in many communities ashore.
In the realm of engine emissions, Holland America Line is stepping to the forefront in exploring new technologies as well. Vista-class cruise ships ms Westerdam, ms Noordam and ms Oosterdam connect to shore power at the Port of Seattle, to reduce both fuel consumption and air emissions. Holland America Line will buy and use electricity ("shore power") provided by Seattle City Light, instead of burning ship-board fuels for power while stationed in Seattle.
Holland America Line Honored for Whale Conservation Program
Holland America Line's "Avoiding Whale Strikes" program and the cruise company's leadership and commitment to the conservation of whales have been recognized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA's Fisheries Service) with a Conservation Partnership Award, part of a newly established Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Awards Program.
To assist in the recovery and ensure the safety of all whale species, Holland America Line, in cooperation with NOAA's Fisheries Service and the National Parks Service, developed and launched the comprehensive and interactive computer-based training program. All deck officers on Holland America Line vessels have taken the course and the program is being shared with the cruise and maritime community.
Seawater Scrubber Pilot Program
Furthermore, an in-depth feasibility study is underway in cooperation with local regulatory agencies, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and B.C. Clean Air Research Fund, to develop and test a stack emission scrubber for possible use on board our cruise ships.
Holland America Line launched the technology demonstration project, costing more than $1.5 million, to demonstrate the feasibility of using sea water to "scrub," or reduce, engine emissions on oceangoing vessels. Each government agency has representatives serving on a technical advisory committee that oversees the development of this project. Following several future months of collecting and studying the data, it could dramatically change not only the cruise industry but the entire maritime industry by reducing ship engine emissions.
The sea water scrubber system, developed by Krystallon, a subsidiary of BP, uses the natural chemistry of seawater to remove virtually all sulfur oxide (SOx) as well as significantly reduce particulate matter emissions. The sea water is then treated to remove harmful components prior to being discharged back overboard.
Holland America Line, along with Krystallon, recently won the 2007 Seatrade Insider Environmental Initiative Award for this innovative emission reduction technology installed on the ms Zaandam. These technology solutions are in addition to the use of monitoring and operating practices we employ to minimize emissions.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Holland America Line takes many measures to minimize or reduce solid waste volumes. Approximately eight tons of garbage are collected onboard each ship during a seven day cruise. Holland America Line employs many "best practices" to help minimize and manage this waste.
When purchasing products and material for use on vessels, Holland America Line takes an aggressive approach to ordering the right quantities, and to minimize the use of packaging, especially plastics. For example, the ships use paper or washable cups, wooden stirrers, paper bags and glass or metal packaging whenever possible. To further reduce plastic packaging, Holland America Line has installed bulk dispensers for individual condiments and cream. Holland America Line buys products manufactured from or packaged in recycling packaging. Printed matter is on recycled paper when available. On board amenities are free of animal products and have not been tested on animals.
Cleaning products are selected to be environmentally friendly while providing the most effective sanitation program available. In addition, bulk formulators and dispensing systems have been installed onboard to dramatically reduce the generation of packing and container waste. These products not only get the job done, but are compatible with our advanced waste water treatment systems to complement that technology.
Holland America Line has a strict protocol for garbage handling. All crew members are trained to use products fully, reuse when possible, and to sort garbage properly when disposing of material. All ships also have crewmembers that are especially trained and responsible for final sorting, processing, storing, recycling and disposal.
All garbage is first separated into categories: food waste, glass, cans, paper, cardboard, cooking oil and wooden pallets. Everything that can be recycled is sent ashore for recycling, depending on the available shore-side facilities. All other waste is disposed of in a way that meets or exceeds international, national or local requirements. As a result of these practices, Holland America Line is able to significantly reduce the volume of solid wastes generated.
Every opportunity for recycling or reuse is explored to minimize wasting of materials.
Using New Technology to Reduce Hazardous Materials
Holland America Line is actively seeking to reduce both the quantity and toxicity of hazardous materials used on board. For example, perchloroethylene based dry cleaning machines are being replaced with soy, orange and banana oil based "wet cleaning" machines. Also, on board x-ray facilities are being converted to digital technology, which will further reduce the use and disposal of hazardous materials. Onboard photo labs are equipped with a silver recovery system that removes the silver content from spent photo-chemicals, allowing both the silver and the spent chemicals to be further treated or recycled. Ships are also transitioning to digital photography equipment as that technology becomes more widespread among guests.
All chemical waste materials are landed ashore for disposition in strict compliance with shoreside regulations and tracked using a computerized system.
Inviting our Guests to Participate: Environmental Awareness & Stewardship
In addition to our environmental onboard enrichment programs, Holland America Line guests are invited to view Holland America Line's environmental stewardship video while onboard. Presented by the Environmental Officer, this 20 minute video describes our environmental protection practices, and is followed by a question and answer period with the audience.
Ships traveling to Alaska and Antarctica also have special presentations for guests to ensure their sensitivity to the special environmental conditions that exist in those regions.
Holland America Line invites guests to participate in its onboard environmental programs. In addition to stationing segregated waste containers throughout the vessel, guests are encouraged to reuse bath towels, close exterior doors and reduce water and power usage.
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