Can you summarise the role of AECO?

Founded in 2003, AECO has become crucial in representing the concerns and views of Arctic expedition cruise operators. We are dedicated to managing environmentally friendly, safe, and considerate practices for both cruise and yacht tourism and for expedition operators. Striving to set the highest possible operating standards, AECO has over 75 international members, including 46 vessel operators and 60 expedition cruise vessels. It is AECO’s responsibility to represent the great majority of these operations in the Arctic.

How does AECO work to protect the Arctic cruising grounds?

Overseeing almost all expedition cruise and yacht operations in the Arctic, AECO enforces a framework for our members that is stricter than that at the national level. Our compulsory guidelines leave nothing to the imagination and cover areas such as biosecurity, cultural remains, operations, vegetation, wildlife, community guidelines and clean up initiatives.

The Arctic has not escaped the ever-increasing issue of ocean pollution. In response to this and alongside local authorities, AECO initiated the soon to be 20-year-old Clean Up Svalbard Program, giving yacht and cruise passengers the chance to contribute by clearing beaches of waste. This has had a staggering impact and helped clean over 40 metric tons of garbage throughout the years. We have also signed an agreement with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to collaborate through AECO’s Clean Seas project. This will help to reduce the amount of single-use plastic used onboard cruise vessels in the region. In addition, AECO has also pushed for stricter guidelines by banning the recreational use of drones, and having signed up to the Arctic Commitment, we are calling for the phase-out of HFO (Heavy Fuel Oil) aboard AECO member vessels, which can have catastrophic effects on the water. Working closely with local tourism stakeholders, we ensure that the cruise and private yacht industries also represent local benefits with our Community Guidelines.

Are there any significant changes you have seen in the number of vessels traveling for pleasure and their attitude towards cruising in the Arctic?

I believe we will continue to see an increased number of vessels, both commercial and private, cruising in the Arctic in the coming years. We have already seen a surge of interest with existing operators expanding and new operators entering, reflecting the demand for unique experiences. Most operators have an increased focus on sustainability and mitigation of negative impacts on the environment and local communities. With this conscious attitude, AECO members continue to grow and we see this as a sign of genuine interest in taking responsibility for sustainable tourism development in the Arctic. As more private vessels travel to the region, there is an increased risk of people operating outside of our guidelines, which may inadvertently negatively affect local communities and nature. Therefore, a strong organized Arctic expedition cruise and yacht industry is vital to the future of the region and its waters.

How can yachts visiting the region minimize their footprint?

The Arctic is vast, but there is no guarantee that you’ll have certain sites or community visits to yourself. As a consequence most AECO operators follow similar itineraries, visiting the same areas but scheduling around other visiting vessels, to avoid overcrowding at any given time. Ensuring that local communities are informed and ready when visited gives guests the best Arctic experience possible. For yachts, we offer an important toolbox for minimizing negative impact and coordinating sailing plans whilst curtailing the impact on the environment.