Ships will be able to discharge wastewater into public sewage systems via a connection at the pier
By
Rebecca Gibson |
The municipality of Aalborg and the Port of Aalborg are to invest in a new wastewater treatment plant to enable cruise vessels to discharge both black and grey water directly into the Danish city’s public sewage system.
Ships will be able to discharge wastewater via a connection at the pier, where it will then be passed for processing at the local waste water treatment plant. The facility will be able to receive an unlimited volume, with a rate of about 100-150 cubic metres per hour.
The facilities will be in line with the International Maritime Organization and HELCOM regulations, which will apply to new vessels from 2019 and to all existing vessels from 2021.
“We want to be the market leader in the supply of environmentally sustainable logistics services and facilities, properties and infrastructure in the port,” said Claus Holstein, CEO at the Port of Aalborg. “We will ensure that the business areas achieve international standards in terms of sustainability and local environmental cooperation.”
Cruise Baltic member The Port of Aalborg is the only carbon dioxide-neutral port in Denmark and this will further reduce the port’s environmental footprint.
“We welcome the news of this significant investment being made by the Port of Aalborg, which is an essential initiative for the future success of the environment in the Baltic Sea Region,” said Claus Bodker, director of Cruise Baltic.
The port authority also expects the new wastewater facility to boost cruise tourism in Aalborg. In 2016, Aalborg hosted 21 cruise calls and 2017 will prove another record year for the city with 36 cruise vessels calling at the port.
“We will make it even more attractive for the cruise lines to choose the Port of Aalborg as their destination,” said Michael Rosenkilde Lund, cruise manager at the Port of Aalborg. “We offer the guests completely unique experiences in the coziest city of Denmark and with the new investment, we also make it easier for the cruise lines to meet the international environmental requirements.”