Luxury cruise operator The Yachts of Seabourn has published a report on the company’s sustainability performance in fiscal 2009.
“Our company is in the midst of a substantial expansion in our operations,” said Pamela C. Conover, Seabourn’s President and CEO. “During this period, when we are measuring the progress of our business in a number of ways, we also wanted to ensure that we are growing in a way that is sustainable,” she continued.
Seabourn’s sustainability report comprises the measured results of Seabourn’s activities between December 1, 2008, and November 30, 2009, relating to 23 different performance indicators defined by the Global Reporting Index (GRI). Seabourn reported on the areas of Environment, Labor, Human Rights, Society, Product Responsibility, and Economic Impact. The 58-page report is published as an online document in pdf-format, and is available for viewing or download on the company’s website at www.seabourn.com.
Seabourn’s development includes launching three new, ultra luxury vessels by June 2011. The sister yachts are being built by T. Mariotti S.p.A. of Genoa, Italy. Seabourn Odyssey debuted in June 2009 and Seabourn Sojourn launched in June 2010. The third, Seabourn Quest, will debut in June 2011. Virtually identical from stem to stern, Seabourn’s new-builds are designed to meet or exceed the standards of the RINA “Green Ship” certification. Enhanced systems such as fan-cooled air conditioning systems, Advanced Wastewater Treatment equipment and water-lubricated Thorsen bearings are employed to assist in reducing the impact of its fleet. Seabourn is currently the only cruise line utilizing bio-filters to eliminate oil from bilgewater. The very size of its ships creates less impact, and enables delivery of the highly personalized experience that is a hallmark of the brand. Each 32,000-GRT vessel will accommodate 450 guests in 225 luxury suites, 90 percent of which will be outfitted with verandas. Combined, the three additions will increase Seabourn’s fleet capacity by more than 200 percent from 624 in 2008 to 1,974 berths in 2011.
The company has for years contributed its environmental data as a part of the corporate compliance initiative of its parent, Carnival Corporation & plc. However this is the first report that outlines these indicators for the Seabourn operating brand alone. Carnival Corporation & plc is widely recognized as a leader in the field of environmental and sustainable development, being listed on the esteemed FTSE4Good index of the FTSE Group, the Maplecroft Climate Innovation Leaders Index, as well as the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index. Seabourn itself has developed an internal environmental management system that has been independently certified as fully compliant with the International Standards ISO 140001.
