Eco-conscious Danes

Press Release
March 2005

Eco-conscious Danes "clear the air" on cruise ship emissions

COPENHAGEN - The Danish Environmental Protection Agency says that air pollution from cruise ships docking in Copenhagen is well under the required safety level. This means the entire cruise ship industry can now breathe easy: Cruise ships pollute far less than previously thought.

A recent Danish Environmental Protection Agency report shows that, despite more cruise ships docking in Copenhagen than ever before, the resultant combined air pollution is minimal. Figures for 2004 show emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from cruise ships to be 147 tons. This is equivalent to 0.735 per thousand of the combined Danish production of NOx, which stands at 200,000 tons per year. That means cruise ships have not been shown to contribute a significant level of pollutants to the air.

- We are of course delighted that this investigation has shown that pollution from cruise ships is marginal and much less than previously thought. This applies to the entire cruise ship industry internationally, not just Copenhagen where a clean and safe environment is one of the decisive factors behind the great success of the cruise ship industry. Therefore in the coming year we will pay close attention to environmental issues. As the port's capacity increases and more ships dock here we will do all we can to maintain the port's high environmental standards, says Per Schmidt, general manager of the Copenhagen Malmö Port and chairman of Cruise Copenhagen Network.

Increased growth for cruise ships in Copenhagen

Copenhagen's growth as a cruise destination is outpacing the cruise tourism industry globally. Overall, the global cruise market is expected to grow at a rate of 3 to 5 percent per year in the next several years. Applying that growth rate to Copenhagen means that the Danish capital would expect to welcome 440,000 cruise ship passengers in 2010. However, since 1998 Copenhagen has been growing as a cruise destination at a rate of closer to 11 percent per year. That means the number of passengers arriving in 2010 will be closer to 600,000.

In the last 5 to 10 years, Copenhagen has developed its cruise product and infrastructure significantly and has specifically focused on international marketing. The close cooperation between the city's tourist board - Wonderful Copenhagen - VisitDenmark and the cruise partnership Cruise Copenhagen Network (CCN) has helped to ensure Copenhagen's popularity and success as a cruise destination.

The result is clear. Every year the number of cruise ships docking in Copenhagen grows. During the 2005 season, 289 calls are expected to dock in Copenhagen - 25 more than in 2004. More than a third of the calls will be turnarounds.

And in December 2004, the international travel industry confirmed the city's place in the world cruise market when Copenhagen received the prestigious World Travel Award as Europe's Leading Cruise Destination.

For more information:

Wonderful Copenhagen, tel.: + 45 3325 7400 or Cruise Copenhagen Network (CCN), Cruise Marketing Director Anette Jensen, tel.: +45 3355 7428.



Press releases Cruise Season 2008: New companies and larger ships Photos Contact Cruise Copenhagen > Cruise Media > Press releases > Eco-conscious Danes Eco-conscious Danes Press Release March 2005 Eco-conscious Danes "clear the air" on cruise ship emissions COPENHAGEN - The Danish Environmental Protection Agency says that air pollution from cruise ships docking in Copenhagen is well under the required safety level. This means the entire cruise ship industry can now breathe easy: Cruise ships pollute far less than previously thought. A recent Danish Environmental Protection Agency report shows that, despite more cruise ships docking in Copenhagen than ever before, the resultant combined air pollution is minimal. Figures for 2004 show emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from cruise ships to be 147 tons. This is equivalent to 0.735 per thousand of the combined Danish production of NOx, which stands at 200,000 tons per year. That means cruise ships have not been shown to contribute a significant level of pollutants to the air. - We are of course delighted that this investigation has shown that pollution from cruise ships is marginal and much less than previously thought. This applies to the entire cruise ship industry internationally, not just Copenhagen where a clean and safe environment is one of the decisive factors behind the great success of the cruise ship industry. Therefore in the coming year we will pay close attention to environmental issues. As the port's capacity increases and more ships dock here we will do all we can to maintain the port's high environmental standards, says Per Schmidt, general manager of the Copenhagen Malmö Port and chairman of Cruise Copenhagen Network. Increased growth for cruise ships in Copenhagen Copenhagen's growth as a cruise destination is outpacing the cruise tourism industry globally. Overall, the global cruise market is expected to grow at a rate of 3 to 5 percent per year in the next several years. Applying that growth rate to Copenhagen means that the Danish capital would expect to welcome 440,000 cruise ship passengers in 2010. However, since 1998 Copenhagen has been growing as a cruise destination at a rate of closer to 11 percent per year. That means the number of passengers arriving in 2010 will be closer to 600,000. In the last 5 to 10 years, Copenhagen has developed its cruise product and infrastructure significantly and has specifically focused on international marketing. The close cooperation between the city's tourist board - Wonderful Copenhagen - VisitDenmark and the cruise partnership Cruise Copenhagen Network (CCN) has helped to ensure Copenhagen's popularity and success as a cruise destination. The result is clear. Every year the number of cruise ships docking in Copenhagen grows. During the 2005 season, 289 calls are expected to dock in Copenhagen - 25 more than in 2004. More than a third of the calls will be turnarounds. And in December 2004, the international travel industry confirmed the city's place in the world cruise market when Copenhagen received the prestigious World Travel Award as Europe's Leading Cruise Destination. For more information: Wonderful Copenhagen, tel.: + 45 3325 7400 or Cruise Copenhagen Network (CCN), Cruise Marketing Director Anette Jensen, tel.: +45 3355 7428.