A significant new milestone for Swan Hellenic in its journey towards ever more responsible expedition cruising: SH Minerva has become the first vessel in the company's fleet to receive the DCA ESG Certification awarded by Dream&Charme, a prestigious recognition of its tangible commitment to the sustainable management of onboard operations.
Issued by an international certification body specializing in the hospitality industry and accredited under ISO/IEC 17065 by ACCREDIA, under the supervision of the Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, the certification confirms compliance with rigorous environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. This achievement underscores Swan Hellenic's commitment to embedding sustainability, technological innovation, and operational responsibility at the heart of its expedition cruising model, offering guests an exceptional travel experience that seamlessly combines exploration, comfort, and the protection of the world's most fragile ecosystems.
The audit was conducted during SH Minerva's voyage from Hiroshima to Otaru, Japan, between 20 and 30 May, and involved a comprehensive assessment of the vessel's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. It was led by Giorgio Caire di Lauzet, CEO of Dream&Charme and Lead Auditor, who has carried out more than 3,000 assessments across 25 countries.
The certification process evaluated a broad range of operational areas, including onboard procedures, supply chain management, crew welfare and working conditions, as well as the quality and sustainability of the shore experiences offered to guests. Having issued more than 1,400 sustainability certifications in 19 countries, Dream&Charme further strengthens its position as a leading international authority in assessing ESG standards across the hospitality and premium travel sectors.
The DCA ESG Certification awarded by Dream&Charme complies with the ISO/IEC 17065 standard and is recognized internationally. Its accreditation is acknowledged under the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), complies with European Regulation (EC) No. 765/2008 and, through ACCREDIA accreditation, is recognized as a reliable certification by members of the Global Accreditation Network (Global ACI), which brings together accreditation bodies from 126 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, European nations, the Russian Federation, China, Brazil, and Australia.
Dream&Charme had previously reached another significant milestone by certifying La Dolce Vita Orient Express, the world's first train to meet DCA ESG standards. With SH Minerva, the organization now extends this vision to the maritime sector, demonstrating how ESG innovation can transcend industry boundaries and be successfully applied on a global scale.
Built at Helsinki Shipyard in Finland, SH Minerva exemplifies the new generation of expedition cruise vessels, purpose-designed to deliver an exclusive travel experience while safeguarding some of the world's most environmentally sensitive destinations.
The vessel incorporates a range of advanced technologies and operational solutions designed to enhance sustainability and efficiency. Its optimized hull design contributes to improved fuel efficiency, while dedicated cultural and scientific learning spaces—including an onboard laboratory—enable guests to gain a deeper understanding of the destinations they visit through a more informed and engaging approach to exploration.
For expedition activities, SH Minerva is equipped with state-of-the-art Zodiac craft, enabling guests to access remote locations, shallow waters, and ice-covered areas that are beyond the reach of larger vessels. These capabilities are complemented by rigorous biosecurity protocols designed to prevent the introduction of invasive species and pathogens, helping to protect some of the world's most fragile ecosystems, particularly in the polar regions.
From a technical perspective, the vessel features a diesel-electric propulsion system powered by Tier III generators equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology and urea injection, enabling advanced control of atmospheric emissions. In addition, its dynamic positioning system allows the ship to maintain its position without deploying an anchor, significantly reducing the impact on sensitive seabed habitats.
Among its other sustainability-focused technologies are a reverse osmosis freshwater production system capable of generating more than 10,000 litres of water per hour—thereby reducing reliance on port-based water supplies—and an advanced wastewater treatment plant that processes both greywater and blackwater to the highest environmental standards, including those applicable in the Baltic Sea and Alaska.
Through this combination of innovative technologies and responsible operating practices, SH Minerva offers guests an expedition experience that seamlessly combines exploration, comfort, and environmental stewardship, appealing to an international clientele seeking authentic and sustainable journeys to some of the world's most extraordinary destinations.
Andrea Zito, CEO of Swan Hellenic, noted that within the experiential luxury travel sector, international travellers are placing increasing importance on the alignment between companies' stated sustainability commitments and the concrete actions they take. According to Zito, the DCA ESG Certification represents an important point of differentiation for the company, reinforcing its commitment to an expedition cruising model that combines world-class exploration, technological innovation, and environmental responsibility. He also emphasized that the ESG certification awarded by Dream&Charme is widely regarded as a benchmark of excellence, thanks to its internationally recognized assessment framework and its presence across some of the world's most demanding markets.
Giorgio Caire di Lauzet, CEO of Dream&Charme, emphasized that the recognition awarded to SH Minerva highlights the growing importance of a structured approach to sustainability within the expedition cruise sector. According to Caire di Lauzet, the DCA ESG Certification is not merely a mark of quality but a practical management tool that supports the continuous improvement of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. With this achievement, SH Minerva sets a new benchmark for the industry, translating sustainability goals into measurable and verifiable practices.
SH Minerva therefore does far more than take guests to some of the world's most remote and extraordinary destinations, from the Arctic to Antarctica. It does so with a deep sense of responsibility. According to Swan Hellenic's philosophy, true exploration means protecting the planet's most vulnerable ecosystems, creating lasting benefits for the communities and destinations visited, and respecting local cultures and traditions.
The DCA ESG Certification is fully aligned with the ISO/IEC 17065 standard and provides a rigorous assessment of how an organization manages its environmental impact, engages with stakeholders, and implements transparent governance principles. Rather than serving as a purely symbolic accolade, it is a practical framework that enables sustainability objectives to be translated into measurable, verifiable actions.
Giorgia Lombardo
