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Spotted: Springwise has followed a growing trend aiming to make the travel industry more sustainable. From promoting sustainable housing for tourists, to using plastic bottles as transport payment, innovations across the globe are working on creating more environmentally-friendly options for travellers. A cruise ship company is now also attempting to make their business more sustainable.

Hurtigruten Cruises have started a green initiative that uses waste fish parts as biofuel to power their cruise ships. The leftovers from fish processing for food, mixed with other organic waste products, can produce a biogas. The gas can be converted into a liquid and then function as a fuel source, which will power various Hurtigruten expedition cruises across their 17-ship strong fleet.

Water-based transport powered by fossil fuels is even more damaging than land-based ones, as they produce sulphur and other contaminants that transfer directly into the water. Marine environments are increasingly under threat and need urgent protection. Hurtigruten’s efforts could have a real impact on their carbon footprint and the environment generally.

Hurtigruten aim to have converted at least six of their vessels to clean fuel by 2021. They have also pledged to ban single-use plastics and plan to carry large battery packs on board their ships, which can store excess renewable power to maximise energy efficiency. The company is also working on an additional three new hybrid-ships in Norway, to be first used in three years time.