Environment - Policy Statement

Irish Continental Group recognises that all forms of transport, including ships, have an unavoidable impact on the environment. We are committed to reducing negative impacts through:

• consistent compliance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ships (MARPOL 73/78);
• minimising the consumption of non-renewable fossil fuels, including, for example, using electricity to power our cranes and the development and use of the Shipboard Environmental Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) onboard all our ships;
• using an oil recovery system to collect all waste oil from our ships. This oil is then recycled;
• bulk purchasing to reduce the number of deliveries and packaging, and segregation of all waste cardboard packaging for recycling;
• minimising wave generation, and thus minimising disturbance of coastal habitats;
• painting the hulls of all our ferries with tin-free non-toxic paints to avoid the release of harmful agents into the sea;
• recycling paper at our Head Office in Dublin; and
• reducing the sulphur content in marine fuels used on all of our vessels in compliance with the requirements of European Directive 2005/33/EC.

Irish Continental Group continues to take an active interest in the communities within which it operates. Each separate business unit assists in local initiatives through sponsorship and organised events. We recognise the important role played by charities and community organisations within our communities and we are happy to help these organisations achieve their goals.

We will measure our success through the quality of our service, as seen by our customers, which should result in delivering sustained and profitable growth for the benefit of our shareholders and staff.

Irish Whale and Dolphin Group Surveys

We believe that the sea is one of our planet's most precious assets, essential to our own quality of life, as well as to the lives of those creatures that directly depend on it for their sustenance and welfare.

ICG are very proud to have Irish Ferries involved in a collaborative cetacean (whales, dolphins and porpoise) survey with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG).

Expert whale and dolphin watchers from the IWDG conduct sighting surveys from on-board Ulysses during the crossing between Dublin and Holyhead and also on board the Isle of Inishmore during the crossing from Rosslare and Pembroke. The surveys supply vital base-line data on cetacean density and distribution in the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea and English Channel. The data supplied by these surveys will aid in the identification of important habitats for European cetaceans and help to devise programmes for their long term conservation and protection.