The estimated value of operating costs saved due to investments mainly for environmental protection (e.g. renewable energy sources) amounted to €16.9 million. We invested more than €20.6 million in programs directly or indirectly related to the protection of the environment (e.g. solid and liquid waste disposal investments, decontamination materials and equipment, installation of scrubbers, environmental operation certificates).
Reduction of Gaseous Pollutants
Demonstrating in practice our commitment to reducing gaseous emissions, we were the first shipping company on the Adriatic lines to accept and sign the voluntary 'Ancona Blue Agreement' proposed by the Port Authority and the Central Administration of Adriatic Ports to further reduce emissions pollutants in the atmosphere from the use of marine fuels. In this context, we are intensively researching the possibility of silent running in ports with a long stay, with power supply from land or using batteries.
We reduce the use of materials
As part of our efforts for rational use of natural resources, we implement actions to reduce the materials used. For example, we use multi-machines (printers and photocopiers) entirely in our offices, of which 100% of their mechanisms, spare parts and consumables are recycled and remanufactured. Alongside:
- We have started developing a process to increase the use of materials from recycled raw materials, in order to consider the possibility of sourcing materials/items from recycled raw materials in case of purchasing new items and replacing already used materials with other materials derived from recycled raw materials, having at the same time, started a relevant process for the supply of electronic equipment and printing paper. In 2021, we purchased 53,560 kgr of plastic waste-food bags for our ships, of which 91% were bags derived from recycled raw materials.
- We procure refurbished electronic equipment, with related supplies for offices and ships in 2021 totaling 116 devices and 42 electronic equipment peripherals, such as personal computers and hard drives, compared to 106 devices and peripherals in 2020.
- We have installed air dryers in the lavatories on all ships to reduce the amount of paper used to dry hands.
- We take care of the efficient use of spare parts and other supplies (such as consumables) in order not to keep large quantities.
- We have installed dosing machines for cleaning chemicals on all our ships in order to avoid their reckless use, while we train ship workers in their correct use.
Dangerous wastes
A total of 3,045 m3 of liquid and solid hazardous waste (such as mercury-containing waste, lubricants, bio-recyclable kitchen and residential waste, lamps, electronic equipment and toners), as well as the 4.7 tn of batteries and 159 tn of solid petroleum residues that we collected in 2021, they were allocated to specialized hazardous materials management companies, which adhere to strict specifications for their processing in an environmentally safe method, of which 42% were recycled and 58% were transferred for further processing or to landfills, without being quantities of hazardous waste that:
- They were reused.
- They were taken abroad for processing.
- They were imported from abroad.
Customer awareness
We believe that we have a moral obligation to raise awareness among our customers regarding the protection of the environment, both during their trip and in their daily life.
In this context:
- We publish information and our actions for the protection of the environment in our own media, on our companies' social media and through Press Releases.
- We have placed special signage in all cabins on our ships, which urges passengers to turn off lights when not in use and not to consume water unnecessarily.
- We have created a useful manual on the importance and benefits of recycling, the materials that can be disposed of in the special recycling bins and the various symbols found on the product packaging, while also providing useful recycling advice, which is available on the companies' websites Group.
- We promote alternative and more environmentally friendly modes of transport and travel by offering travel packages that combine "Train and Ferry" and are valid for domestic and European destinations.
- We display updates on all our ships that have relevant screens for the prevention of forest fires, in collaboration with the General Secretariat of Civil Protection (GPP) of the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Affair
- We participate in most Eurail & Interrail Pass products and have created our own Interrail & Eurail Greek Islands Pass
We manage liquid waste
As the uncontrolled discharge of liquid waste into the marine space results in a significant burden on the marine environment:
- We have equipped our ships with a Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate in accordance with the provisions of Law 1269/82 and Presidential Decree 400/96.
- We do not allow the disposal of the treated wastewater of the biological system in ports, exceeding the relevant legislation.
- We regularly monitor the operation of the sewage treatment system.
- We comply with relevant ballast water and marine ballast management regulations.
- We have equipped our ships with certified sewage treatment systems with regard to effluent parameters (col. bacteria and total suspended solids), while we deliver the sewage to shore reception facilities from licensed providers in the ports, without any discharge of sewage that contained significant polluting substances (e.g. e.g. hazardous waste, nitrate compounds, phosphate emissions).
