Wightlink Honoured For Environmental And Ethical Initiatives

Wightlink has won two awards recognising its commitment to offering ethical and environmentally friendly choices to its customers.

• Best Ferry Operator for Vegan Food – PETA UK (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
• Highly Commended Travel Brand – The Green Parent magazine

Wightlink has been named Best Ferry Operator for Vegan Food in PETA’s Travel Awards, which celebrate the travel companies, hotels, attractions, and other industry leaders that are meeting the increasing demand for vegan and animal-friendly travel.

“Catching a Wightlink ferry is the perfect way to start your Isle of Wight holiday, with onboard offerings that promote kindness to animals,” says PETA Corporate Projects Manager Dr Carys Bennett.

“The good people at Wightlink have set the industry standard for promoting vegan-friendly food and travel and awarding them is our way of saying thank you”.

Wightlink is one of 11 companies recognised by PETA, others include British Airways, P&O Cruises and Malmaison hotels.

Head of Retail Dan Haynes says: “Wightlink is focused on ensuring every customer can enjoy quality, good value products regardless of dietary restrictions. We haven't finished the journey, we still have much to do, but I am proud of the progress that has been made.”

The Green Parent magazine has named Wightlink as a Highly Commended Travel Brand in its sustainability awards which recognise outstanding accommodation providers, festivals and travel companies. It was founded in 2002 and is read by 150,000 parents.

Wightlink’s Green Solent Project introduces the latest energy-saving technologies with lowered emissions while tackling single-use plastic, reducing waste, maximising recycling, providing marine habitats at ports, sourcing goods from local suppliers and other projects.

The company’s flagship, Victoria of Wight, is the first large hybrid energy ferry in England and uses 17 per cent less fuel than the next largest ship in the fleet. 

Solar panels are being installed to generate electricity and EV charging points are available at ports, supporting both customers and local people who use electric vehicles.

Wightlink Commercial Director Phil Delaney says:

“Sustainability and customer service are among our key values and we are pleased our initiatives have been recognised in these national awards.

“We are looking to the future, focused on achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and will be launching further projects later this year.”