Five Cruise Lines Reap Blue Circle Awards in Vancouver

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority honored environmental leadership at the Port of Vancouver through its annual Blue Circle Awards.

According to a press release, the award acknowledges the green initiatives of terminals, marine operators, and tenants, as well as cruise and shipping lines.

This year, five cruise lines received awards: Royal Caribbean International, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Viking Ocean, and Princess Cruises. Princess Cruises, recognized for the 13th time, was a standout at the awards.

The port authority also highlighted Disney Cruise Line for earning the award every year it has homeported in Vancouver.

In addition to shipping lines and coastal marine operators, these brands were acknowledged for their sustainable practices, including emission reductions and minimizing underwater noise.

The port authority cited connecting to shore power and utilizing alternative fuels and technologies, such as wind propulsion and batteries, as examples of sustainable leadership.

“We are honored to acknowledge the leadership shown by so many in our port community towards supporting trade in a way that protects the environment,” said Peter Xotta, president and CEO of the port authority, the federal agency mandated to enable Canada’s trade through the Port of Vancouver while protecting the environment and considering local communities.

“Terminals and tenants, marine operators, and shipping and cruise lines are the engines that move Canada’s trade through the Port of Vancouver every day—supporting jobs and economic prosperity from coast to coast—and we are proud to celebrate the efforts they are making to ensure this vital work is done in a sustainable way,” he added.

Initiated in 2009, the Blue Circle Awards recognize Port of Vancouver operators and customers with the highest participation in the port authority’s EcoAction and Energy Action programs.