top of page

Silversea initiative wins Seatrade Cruise Award for sustainability

The Silversea Fund for the Galapagos was recognised at the prestigious cruise awards.

By Norah Bradford

Silversea Cruises, the leading ultra-luxury cruise line, was the winner of the 2020 Seatrade Cruise Award for Sustainability, sponsored by Cruise Baltic. The award recognises the recipient for having shown that it put sustainability, both socially and environmentally, at the forefront of its business operations over the past 12 months.

The company was recognised for its pioneering Silversea Fund for the Galapagos, which is among a number of Silversea efforts aimed at enriching the communities and landscapes visited by its ships.

"Seatrade's Sustainability Award is an important recognition of our efforts to protect the natural environment and wildlife of the Galapagos through education and building relationships with the local communities. We are truly delighted to receive this award," says Fernando Delgado, Vice President and General Manager of Silversea Cruises Ecuador.

"We are thrilled to be recognised by Seatrade's distinguished panel of judges for our contributions to such an important region. This award affirms our commitment to the long-term conservation of the natural wonders of the Galapagos Islands, which reflects our approach in all destinations," adds Barbara Muckermann, Silversea's Chief Marketing Officer.

SILVERSEA FUND FOR THE GALAPAGOS


Established in partnership with the Galapagos Conservancy, the only U.S.-based organisation focused exclusively on protecting the Galapagos' unique ecosystems and biological integrity -- the Silversea Fund for the Galapagos educates and supports the archipelago's local communities by financing projects related to youth empowerment; education and training; and science, technology and conservation. The fund welcomes both formal and grassroots project proposals from the Galapagos' four inhabited islands: San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, Isabela, and Floreana.

The fund builds on Silversea's existing efforts to make a positive impact on the natural and economic environment of the Galapagos Islands, including its contribution to the Floreana Island Ecological Restoration Project. Guests traveling aboard Silver Origin can donate to the Silversea Fund for the Galapagos during their voyage. Each person who donates between USD 200 to USD 1,000 will receive a Future Cruise Credit in a matching amount that may be applied towards any future voyage aboard any ship in Silversea's ultra-luxury fleet.



SILVER ORIGIN: BUILT WITH THE ENVIRONMENT IN MIND

The newest addition to Silversea’s fleet, the all-suite, all-balcony, 100-guest Silver Origin is slated to begin year-round voyages in the Galapagos later this year, and has been built entirely with the Galapagos’ unique environment in mind. Silver Origin incorporates environmentally low-impact features to comply with future rules and regulations, in addition to the Galapagos National Park Directorate regulations.

The latest technological innovations mean a reduction in fuel consumption and fewer exhaust emissions; the ship's dynamic positioning system will be used when positioned over delicate seabed ecosystems to prevent the anchor from causing damage; suites incorporate freshwater purification systems that convert seawater into drinking water, thus drastically reducing the use of plastic on board; and a wastewater treatment system will meet or exceed the strictest regulations in the market. Moreover, all waste will undergo a rigid segregation procedure on board and will be delivered to a local waste management enterprise for it to be recycled or shipped out of the islands.




Comments


bottom of page