Safety and Environmental Policy
The Eckerö Group’s safety and environmental policy is to conduct passenger and freight traffic, together with associated operations, in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. We shall strive to prevent all identified risks through well-adapted working procedures in accordance with international and national laws, regulations and other requirements for the protection of human life, property, cargo and the environment.
The Eckerö Group shall be a reliable employer where well-being and mutual responsibility are a focal point. By using our resources such as personnel, time, materials, supplier services and financial assets efficiently, our economic competitiveness shall be maintained while we jointly safeguard sustainable development, continuous improvement, a high level of safety and the lowest possible environmental impact.
Structured environmental and safety management
Eckerö Link conducts its operations in accordance with the safety and environmental requirements of the ISM Code. The ISM Code is an international, mandatory regulatory framework for shipping that sets requirements aimed at the safe operation of vessels and the prevention of pollution from ships.
In addition to the mandatory requirements of the ISM Code and other applicable legislation, Eckerö Link has also chosen to comply with the requirements of the international environmental management standard ISO 14001. At the next upcoming audit, Eckerö Link will be included together with the other companies in the Eckerö Group under the ISO 14001 certificate. The requirements of ISO 14001 aim at continuous improvement of environmental performance and reduced environmental impact.
The intention of Eckerö Link’s environmental and safety management is for it to be a natural part of daily operations. Our objective is the safe operation of the vessel while continuously striving to minimize our environmental impact. Eckerö Link’s personnel undergo regular training and internal audits are performed to maintain a high standard of safety and environmental work. Compliance with the requirements of ISO 14001 and the ISM Code is also regularly verified by external auditors.
Environmental objectives
Eckerö Link has identified the ways in which its operations affect the environment and has set objectives for the company’s environmental work. Eckerö Link’s primary environmental objective is to reduce the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere as a result of the combustion of fossil fuels on board the vessel.
The energy efficiency of the vessel and machinery, as well as the quality of the fuel, are of great importance in reducing emissions to air. Eckerö Link continuously works with measures to minimize fuel consumption in order to reduce emissions. These measures include, among other things, regular cleaning of the vessel’s hull, since a well-maintained hull reduces friction and thereby fuel consumption. Other measures include optimizing the efficiency of engines, propellers and other equipment on board, as well as continuously monitoring the vessel’s consumption and actively selecting more energy-efficient equipment. The use of heating, cooling and ventilation on board is adapted to actual needs and equipment is not operated unnecessarily.
The most decisive factor affecting the vessel’s fuel consumption is its speed. This is the main reason why we encourage our guests to arrive at the port in good time, thereby helping us to protect the environment by preventing late departures.
Shore power
The vessel’s electricity is generated by generators connected to the engines. In order to avoid unnecessary emissions, Eckerö Link has long used shore power during port stays with its previous vessel, and work is now ongoing to ensure that the new vessel will also use shore power during port stays.
Waste, wastewater and chemicals
- All waste is handled, sorted and brought ashore to an approved facility for the reception and treatment of waste. We continuously work to minimize the amount of waste, including efforts to reduce food waste from our onboard restaurant operations.
- The vessel has fully closed wastewater systems and all wastewater is pumped ashore, where it is transported onward for treatment at a wastewater treatment plant.
- There is an ongoing process aimed at minimizing the amount of chemicals used on board and, where alternatives exist, replacing them with more environmentally friendly options.