Our sustainable progress update for 2024 - 2025

Building on a landmark year in 2024, when Hebrides Cruises was awarded “Green Family Business of the Year” at The Herald Scottish Family Business Awards, we continue to strengthen and expand our sustainability credentials.

Throughout 2024–25, we delivered substantial environmental improvements across our fleet—advances that we have continued to build upon throughout the 2025 season.

New for 2025

In 2025, we launched our new West Coast Seafood Cruise, showcasing sustainably caught seafood from the Isle of Mull. The cruise features produce sourced from local fishing vessels, including hand-dived scallops supplied by owner/skipper Rob Barlow. Like all our cruises, this itinerary highlights the importance of supporting local suppliers, reducing food miles, and prioritising seasonal produce.

During the 2025 season, we also increased our use of low-impact packaging and expanded our linen and towel reduction policies.

Fleet Improvements and Energy Efficiency

Our newest vessel, Lucy Mary, was specifically selected for its low-fuel, low-energy profile and remains central to our sustainability goals. This season, we installed a new modern generator on board that is significantly more fuel-efficient and designed to operate at a lower output while meeting the same electrical demand. This upgrade reduces fuel consumption both while cruising and at anchor, cuts emissions, and allows for quieter operation in sensitive marine environments.

We expect the new system to deliver:

• Lower fuel use per hour
• Reduced carbon emissions
• Quieter operation, improving guest experience and minimising disturbance to wildlife
• Improved reliability and smoother performance

Our other vessels are also receiving upgrades. We continue to transition to LED lighting across the fleet, and Elizabeth G is having a water maker installed. This will allow us to produce fresh water from seawater, further reducing overall water consumption. Across the fleet, we also utilise solar panels, energy-efficient systems, and are trialling lithium batteries with Bluetooth monitoring to improve efficiency and performance.

Waste Management and Resource Use

Over the past year, we have strengthened our waste management plan across both vessel and shore-based operations. This plan will continue to be monitored and refined as we identify further opportunities for improvement.

Key initiatives include:

Improved Sorting and Recycling

• Enhanced staff training on correct waste handling and recycling
• Clearer separation of recycling and general waste on board and at end-of-cruise shore facilities

Zero Waste at Sea Policy

• No waste discharged overboard
• All waste securely stored and responsibly offloaded in port
• Increased use of sealed containers to prevent accidental litter or plastic loss

Recycled Plastics and Consumables

• Transition to bulk refill cleaning products and toiletries
• Increased use of reusable containers and cleaning cloths
• Reduced single-use plastics in guest areas

Food Waste Reduction

• Improved menu planning to minimise food waste
• Surplus ingredients used across multiple dishes or transferred between vessels
• Composting of suitable food waste once back ashore (where applicable)
• All surplus sealed food and ingredients are donated to Hope Kitchen, Oban, at the end of the season

Reuse and Responsible Purchasing

• Reuse of packaging materials where safe and appropriate
• Preference for eco-certified, concentrated, and low-impact cleaning products
• Bulk purchasing to reduce packaging waste
• Priority given to local suppliers to reduce food miles and support the local economy

These upgrades form part of our ongoing investment in making our vessels and operations cleaner, more efficient, and more sustainable year on year.

Sustainable Shore Operations

Across our shore bases, we introduced several new initiatives in 2025. These include the adoption of an electric office vehicle, supported by a dedicated charging point, and the move to new office premises with on-site laundry facilities. The laundry is equipped with second-hand machinery, and water generated by the tumble dryer is reused in our ironing facilities.

This season, we also achieved Predator-Free Certification through Biosecurity for Scotland and implemented the required measures across our vessels. This scheme aims to protect native species, internationally important breeding seabirds, and vulnerable island habitats from invasive species.

We have continued to strengthen our contribution to marine research across our fleet. Once again, we worked alongside Dr Conor Ryan on our In Search of Ocean Giants cruise, carrying nets and sampling equipment to support his research into the prey of large whales in the Hebrides. We also attended the Whale Track Boat Operators event hosted by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) and were awarded bronze certification in recognition of the number of excursions and sightings submitted through the Whale Track App.