Oceanwide and Aurora Expeditions Boost Sustainability
With innovative ship upgrades and ecosystem initiatives, these operators expand efforts to lower emissions, restore marine habitats, and set new benchmarks for sustainable expedition cruising.
Two leading expedition cruise operators, Oceanwide Expeditions and Aurora Expeditions, have unveiled notable advancements in their commitment to sustainability. These efforts include significant vessel upgrades and innovative environmental programs, underlining the growing emphasis on reducing operational impacts and promoting environmental stewardship across the industry.
Oceanwide Expeditions Enhances Polar Ship Efficiency
Oceanwide Expeditions has completed major upgrades to its polar expedition vessel, Ortelius, to improve operational performance and reduce emissions. The upgrades, executed during drydock sessions in May and September at Shipyard Reimerswaal, involved replacing outdated stainless steel propeller blades with four new bronze blades built and installed by Dutch Propeller Repairs BV (DPR) and conducting hull blasting to restore a smoother surface.
Piet Vink, Chief Vessel Officer at Oceanwide Expeditions, praised the updates, stating, "With the completion of both projects, the Ortelius is now more ready than ever to take guests into some of our planet's most extreme environments. Both upgrades directly improve fuel efficiency and operational consistency, which, in turn, helps us further reduce operational emissions."
Polar Readiness with Environmental Consciousness
The upgrades ensure the vessel’s readiness for remote and extreme environments, including polar destinations. Oceanwide Expeditions emphasizes that these projects align with its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives by reducing its ecological footprint. The enhancements improve reliability during polar explorations and contribute to long-term sustainability as part of a broader multi-year investment strategy.
Aurora Expeditions Introduces Circular Impact Model
Aurora Expeditions has taken a transformative step in its sustainability efforts by shifting from traditional carbon offsetting programs to a circular impact model. This forward-looking approach actively reduces emissions at the source while regenerating ecosystems and communities affected by its operations.
The company’s Ocean Regeneration initiative focuses on marine ecosystem restoration and waste reduction. For every passenger, including staff and special guests, onboard, Aurora Expeditions funds the planting of one unit of marine life (such as kelp, seagrass, or coral) and ensures the removal of one kilogram of ocean-bound waste. By 2026, the initiative aims to achieve the planting of over 7,000 marine life units and the removal of more than 7,000 kilograms of waste.
Global organizations such as Seatrees, Veritree, and CleanHub have partnered with Aurora to implement these initiatives. "The partners we’ve chosen for this program were selected because they all work with local communities," said Sasha Buch, sustainability manager at Aurora Expeditions. "We value the knowledge they bring and want to ensure economic prosperity for these communities, along with long-term environmental protection."
Technological Innovations for Sustainability
Innovation remains a cornerstone of Aurora Expeditions' sustainability strategy. Its fleet, including vessels such as the MV Greg Mortimer, MV Sylvia Earle, and MV Douglas Mawson, is equipped with cutting-edge technologies designed to minimize environmental impact. Features such as the Ulstein X-BOW design reduce fuel consumption and emissions, while virtual anchoring systems prevent seabed damage. Additionally, the company has integrated single-use plastic-free practices across its operations.
A certified B Corporation, Aurora Expeditions actively aligns its business model with verifiable social and environmental standards. According to the company, its efforts are aimed at redefining sustainable travel by prioritizing decarbonization, regeneration of marine ecosystems, and creating measurable positive impacts with every voyage.
The advancements and initiatives undertaken by Oceanwide Expeditions and Aurora Expeditions highlight the expedition cruise industry’s shift toward balancing adventure travel with environmental consciousness, addressing operational efficiency, community well-being, and ecosystem protection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What sustainability initiatives has Oceanwide Expeditions implemented?
Oceanwide Expeditions has upgraded the Ortelius with four new bronze propeller blades for improved propulsion efficiency and performed hull blasting to enhance hydrodynamic performance, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
What is Aurora Expeditions' Ocean Regeneration initiative?
The Ocean Regeneration initiative focuses on marine ecosystem restoration and waste reduction. For every passenger, including staff and special guests, Aurora Expeditions funds the planting of one unit of marine life and removes one kilogram of ocean-bound waste.
How do Aurora Expeditions’ vessels incorporate sustainable design?
Aurora’s fleet features sustainability-focused technologies such as the Ulstein X-BOW design to optimize fuel efficiency, virtual anchoring systems to protect ocean floors, and practices eliminating single-use plastics.
Where were the upgrades to Ortelius carried out?
The upgrades were performed during separate drydock sessions in May and September at Shipyard Reimerswaal, a long-time partner of Oceanwide Expeditions.
What environmental impacts are associated with these initiatives?
Both Oceanwide Expeditions and Aurora Expeditions aim to significantly reduce emissions, enhance marine ecosystem restoration, and minimize operational footprints, promoting sustainable practices in polar and global expedition travel.
