MS Ortelius

• Antarctica

Like all our partners, the operator of this ship is a member of IAATO, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators.

For decades, the IAATO has been committed to ensuring that travel to Antarctica is conducted responsibly. Members are required to adhere to strict guidelines to ensure that every expedition respects and preserves the fragile ecosystem of the polar regions. From maintaining a safe distance from penguins to strict biosecurity measures, every detail of your trip is designed to protect this special place for future generations.

What does this mean for you? It means that your adventure is linked to the highest standards of sustainability, wildlife protection, and preservation of the breathtaking beauty of Antarctica.

• Arctic

The Arctic, with its fascinating wilderness and unique wildlife, is also under special protection. The operator of this ship is also a member of the AECO, the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators. Just like the IAATO in Antarctica, the AECO is committed to ensuring that expeditions in the Arctic are conducted in a sustainable and responsible manner.

AECO develops strict guidelines to preserve the Arctic's sensitive ecosystems, whether by preventing pollution, protecting wildlife such as polar bears and walruses, or promoting respect for the region's indigenous communities. As part of this initiative, all members work closely together to ensure that even the most remote and untouched places in the Arctic remain intact.

• Other commitments:

Our expedition provider goes far beyond the strict requirements of IAATO and AECO and is passionately committed to additional sustainability initiatives. These include, for example:

• The Ortelius ship uses advanced, environmentally friendly technologiesthat optimize energy consumption and minimize the ecological footprint:
  • Reverse osmosis water system: The reverse osmosis system converts seawater into drinkable fresh water, providing a continuous, sustainable source of water. By reducing dependence on fresh water in ports, this system makes an important contribution to water conservation.
  • Low-sulfur marine gas oil (LSMGO) for better air quality: Ships entering the Antarctic are not permitted to use normal fuel (heavy oil) under any circumstances, as this would have a significant impact on the environment. Instead, the MS Ortelius uses low-sulfur marine gas oil (LSMGO) with a sulfur content of less than 0.1 percent. This fuel helps to reduce harmful emissions and protect air quality in sensitive polar regions.
  • Low-emission engines: The ship has been equipped with two new, particularly low-emission engines. These engines comply with the latest environmental regulations and thus contribute to reducing pollutant emissions.

• Sustainable meals:
  • When available, MSC-certified fish and seafood are served on board. The MSC label stands for theMarine Stewardship Council, a globally recognized certification for sustainable fishing. It ensures that seafood comes from sources that do not harm the oceans. This means that fishing is carried out in such a way that fish stocks are not overfished and marine ecosystems remain protected.
  • The coffee on board comes from UTZ-certified, organic Fairtrade beans—but what does that actually mean?
    • UTZ certification guarantees environmentally friendly farming methods that protect the soil and conserve natural resources. In addition, farmers benefit from fair wages and safe working conditions, which improves their quality of life in the long term.
    • At the same time, the Fairtrade label ensures that these products are produced under fair conditions for workers in the countries where they are grown—they receive fair wages and work in safe, humane conditions. In addition, part of the proceeds go toward education, health, and community projects in the local area.

• Plastic avoidance: Guests receive reusable drinking bottles that can be refilled repeatedly during their trip. Plastic straws, cups, and individually packaged butter, yogurt, and jam are a thing of the past. Sustainability is also a priority in the bathrooms: biodegradable shampoos and soaps in recycled packaging help to further minimize plastic consumption.

• Clean Up Svalbard: The expedition operator is proud to be part of the pioneeringClean Up Svalbardinitiative. Together with other AECO members and local organizations, this initiative is passionately committed to removing waste from the pristine beaches of Svalbard. Every summer, special clean-up expeditions are organized, during which guests actively participate in ridding the coastline of plastic and other waste.

• Education and awareness: The company focuses on the long-term impact of polar education and believes in the value of direct experiences. Through shore excursions, outdoor activities, intensive contact with wildlife, and presentations on board, it offers guests unique insights into the polar regions. Only those who truly experience these areas can commit to protecting them. In addition, many of the scientists who conduct their research aboard the company's ships share their most fascinating findings directly with passengers.

• Citizen science programs: Passengers have the opportunity to participate in citizen science projects that directly contribute to current research in the Arctic and Antarctic. With Happywhale, for example, guests can take photos of marine mammals to support the photo identification of whales and seals. High-quality images help answer questions about the population, migration, and lifespan of these animals.

• Support for polar research: Science is an integral part of the provider's culture and history. For this reason, the company supports several important projects that contribute to the exploration and protection of the polar regions:
  • Arctic litter monitoring: The expedition provider helps document and analyze plastic and microplastics in the Arctic by supporting scientists such as Wouter Jan Strietman in his Arctic Litter Project at Wageningen University & Research.
  • Scientific equipment: By providing ARGO floats that measure important data such as water temperature, salinity, and pressure, scientific work is supported to record the effects of climate change on the oceans.
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• Financial support for the protection of polar regions:
  • The expedition tour operator is committed to environmental and bird conservation programs, including the Save the Albatross campaign, which focuses on protecting seabirds from fishing hazards. As a partner of BirdLife International, the company contributes to preserving biodiversity.
  • The provider is committed to nature conservation projects that use tourism as a source of funding for the protection of valuable ecosystems. As a partner of LT&C (Linking Tourism and Conservation), it promotes initiatives that demonstrate how sustainable tourism can contribute to the preservation of protected areas—whether through education, financial support, or the promotion of sustainable practices on site.