Pentland Ferries attended the Highland Business Awards on Friday (27 September 2024) knowing that they had been shortlisted for the Positive Environmental Impact award, which they were delighted to go on and win. What was an extra special surprise was winning overall Highland Business of the Year.
Colin Marr, Chief Executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the Highland Business Awards judging panel said: “Our congratulations again go to Helen Inkster and her dedicated team at Pentland Ferries on these very deserved accolades at the Highland Business Awards.
“Firstly, taking home the prize for Positive Environmental Impact, the judges could see that Pentland Ferries had considered its environmental impact at every stage of the business’ operations – from the ferries they purchased, to the packaging in their café, to their fleet of electric cars, and the wind power they use to run its ferries while in port. The business heavily promotes this to their customers, showing that they are leading by example, and encouraging them to join in. What’s so impressive is that they do all this with no public subsidy or funding support.
“Finally, drawing a close to proceedings, Pentland Ferries scooped the coveted Highland Business of the Year award. Our judges said that choosing an overall business from amongst all our winners was a hard task, but we were inspired by Pentland Ferries. For a family-owned business, with no public sector support, to not only run their own successful ferry company but to also be able to lend their more famous and heavily supported rival a ferry, while also making environmental improvements that put most of us to shame, made them a worthy winner of Highland Business of the Year.”
Helen Inkster said: “We are very proud to be recognised for our strong environmental credentials. Every aspect of the company’s operation is considered in terms of its likely impact on the planet – driven from a deep passion to run a sustainable operation: protecting the environment and encouraging sustainable practices for generations to come.
“Going on to win overall Highland Business of the Year was the icing on the cake. This is testament to – and recognition for – the hard work and dedication of the team that continue to provide the best possible service to the Orkney community and our visitors.”
Pentland Ferries delivers an affordable, sustainable transport solution with a very low environmental impact. For example, an efficient heat recovery system means that MV Pentalina is heated from the vessel’s engines. Both vessels, MV Alfred and MV Pentalina, were built to keep fuel consumption and CO2 emissions to the absolute minimum.
The café menu on the Pentland Firth route includes locally sourced ingredients to support the community and reduce food miles, while packaging is plant-based and fully compostable.
The company’s management team drive electric vehicles. And – highly innovative in terms of shore power – a wind turbine takes care of the vessel and onboard crew’s energy needs while berthed in St Margaret’s Hope.
A wall on MV Alfred illustrates the company’s trailblazing initiatives and the company website https://pentlandferries.co.uk/green/ and brochures share the company’s achievements, including the significant fuel and CO2 emission reductions mentioned above.
Waste reducing and recycling initiatives are embraced and promoted to passengers. For example, a water refill point on MV Alfred reduces single-use plastics and passengers are encouraged to buy recyclable aluminium cans rather than plastic bottles. Recycling stations are provided on both vessels.
Pentland Ferries welcomes and encourages energy-efficient onward travel on the Pentland Firth service, with bicycles carried free of charge, while an electric charging point is provided for passenger use at the Gills Bay terminal.
In terms of efficiency, promoting reusable and repurposing of materials and energy takes the community closer to a circular economy, while the low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions provide best value for both the pocket and the planet.
