Wightlink wins awards from PETA and The Green Parent magazine for offering “ethical and environmentally friendly choices”

WIGHTLINK ferry service has won two awards for offering “ethical and environmentally friendly” choices to its customers.

The service, which carries passengers between Lymington and the Isle of Wight, won the title of best ferry operator for vegan food from Peta UK.

The company was also named as one of The Green Parent magazine’s highly commended travel brands.

Peta corporate projects manager Dr Carys Bennett said: “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.”

The ferry service is one of 11 companies to be recognised by Peta, including British Airways and P&O Cruises.

Wightlink’s head of retail Dan Haynes said: “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 named Wightlink as a highly commended travel brand in its sustainability awards which recognise “outstanding accommodation providers, festivals and travel companies”.

Wightlink said its Green Solent Project is introducing energy-saving technologies into its business model aimed at lowering emissions, tackling single-use plastics, reducing waste, maximising recycling, providing marine habitats at ports and sourcing goods from local suppliers.

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

Solar panels are being used to generate electricity and EV charging points are now available at ports.

Wightlink commercial director Phil Delaney said: “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.”