HX Expeditions Publishes First ESRS-informed ESG Report with New 2030 Sustainability Roadmap

12% emissions reduction, record science engagement and first-ever long-term ESG strategy revealed

London, 8 June 2026 – HX Expeditions, the world’s longest-running expedition cruise company, has published its 2025 ESG Report on World Oceans Day, marking a significant step forward in its sustainability journey. The report combines strong year-on-year progress across emissions, nature and community with the launch of the company’s first long-term sustainability strategy, setting clear and measurable SMART targets through 2030.

It also marks a milestone for the expedition cruise sector, as HX Expeditions develops its reporting in line with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), a new EU framework designed to standardise how companies disclose environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, while introducing a new destination-level approach to tracking impact.

Key Highlights at a Glance

A snapshot of HX's environmental and social impact in 2025:

• 12% reduction in direct CO₂ emissions (down to 64,630 metric tons)*
• 50% reduction in sulphur oxide emissions and 14% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions, supporting improved air quality
• 1,652 free cabin nights provided to scientists, the highest in the industry, enabling research in some of the world’s most remote locations
• 52% increase in citizen science contributions, with guests submitting a record 46,466 observations to projects such as eBird, HappyWhale, and others
• €226,370 distributed to 28 global projects through the HX Foundation, alongside €215,195 in guest donations
• 1,200 tonnes of ocean plastic removed through HX's partnership with Ocean Bottle
  
  

HX Expeditions is strengthening how it manages, measures, and delivers on sustainability, moving from progress reporting to clear accountability.

• First ESG report informed by the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), setting a new benchmark for the expedition cruise industry
• Introduction of a dedicated sustainability strategy with SMART goals to 2030, providing clear targets and direction
• Proactive alignment with HX's audited Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) double materiality assessment, strengthening our reporting credibility
• Improved transparency, consistency and comparability across sustainability disclosures

Science & Exploration: Expanding Science Support in Remote Regions

Science remains at the heart of HX Expeditions, with the company continuing to provide critical access to remote environments for researchers.

As part of the newly published SMART 2030 goals, Chief Scientist Dr Verena Meraldi has announced that HX will increase the number of free cabin nights provided to guest scientists by 30% for sailings from 2027, reaching 3,900 cabin nights. This expanded capacity will enable scientists to conduct more research in some of the most remote places on Earth.

During the 2025/26 Antarctic season, Dr Manuel Novillo recorded a world-first observation of rare Antarctic blackfin icefish spawning behaviour near Danco Island using underwater drones, ad never previously been documented in the area.

Chief Scientist Dr Verena Meraldi said of the new announcement: “HX is setting the industry standard because we lead with science - and our ambition is to keep pushing further, so scientists and researchers can reach the most remote places on Earth and deliver knowledge that really matters.”

• 1,652 complimentary cabin nights, worth over €1.4m, provided to scientists and research institutions, enabling access to otherwise unreachable environments
• 97 onboard scientists and expert lecturers delivering educational programming as a core part of each sailing
• 46,466 citizen science submissions, a 52% increase driven by active guest engagement

Emissions: Reducing the Impact of Exploration

HX Expeditions continues to take active steps to lower emissions while maintaining high-quality expedition experiences.

• 12% reduction in CO₂ emissions year on year*
• Significant reductions in SOx (50%) and NOx (14%) emissions, lowering overall environmental impact**
• Introduction of a fully electric “silent science boat”, supporting low-impact exploration and research
• Continued focus on operational efficiency and fuel optimisation across the fleet—marking the company’s first use of alternative fuel in fleet operations since becoming a standalone company
• Expansion of “slow cruising” itineraries, reducing fuel consumption while enhancing guest experience and supporting more balanced tourism flows

Nature: Protecting and Restoring Ecosystems

Beyond reducing operational impact, HX Expeditions is actively contributing to environmental protection and restoration initiatives.

• 1,200 tonnes of ocean plastic removed from waterways and oceans through apartnership with Ocean Bottle
• Deployment of SOOP ocean monitoring technology, continuously collecting and uploading data on water quality, CO₂, microplastics and biodiversity
• Launch of the Big Blue Bag initiative in collaboration with marine conservationist Monty Halls
• Introduction of fully vegan, plastic-free onboard products across key vessels
• 7% reduction in food waste per guest night, improving onboard resource efficiency
• 64% decrease in externally sourced water, reducing reliance on local infrastructure
• Zero environmental spills recorded across all operations in 2025

HX Expeditions continues to prioritise community partnerships, ensuring tourism delivers tangible local benefits.

• €226,370 distributed to 28 projects globally through the HX Foundation
• €215,195 contributed by guests, reflecting strong onboard engagement and support
• Women in senior leadership increased to 45%, strengthening diversity at leadership level
• 27% local sourcing across 44 suppliers, supporting regional economies and businesses
• Award-winning HX Rapid Response Fund provided emergency support to crew impacted by typhoons in the Philippines
• Expansion of education and scholarship programmes, including partnerships with the OSM-AD Foundation

Sustainability in Action by Destination

For the first time, HX Expeditions has mapped sustainability efforts by destination, highlighting how commitments translate into action on the ground

• Antarctica: Dedicated science cabins on every voyage, supporting research on whales, penguins and marine ecosystems, alongside industry-leading UTAS guest education programmes, which reached over 2,100 travellers
• Greenland: Locally designed excursions and storytelling experiences including a partnership with a leading Greenlandic chef
• Northwest Passage: Over €337,000 generated in direct economic impact for local communities through visits and locally led experiences designed by locals
• Svalbard: Collaboration on research to better understand and reduce underwater noise in Arctic fjords as well as ongoing support of the Svalbard Dog Rescue charity
• Alaska: Support for environmental monitoring programmes and community-led tourism initiatives including the Sitka Trail Works, which received a grant from the HX Foundation for urgent trail maintenance of the Tongass National Forest, one of the world’s largest temperate rainforests.

Industry Recognition

HX Expeditions’ sustainability leadership has been recognised with a number of industry awards in 2025:

• Wave Award: Best Sustainability Initiative
• Three Gold Magellan Awards, including: Best Eco-Friendly Cruise Ship, Best Expedition Itinerary, and Best Education Programme

“This report marks a significant step forward in how we define and deliver on our sustainability ambitions,” said Gebhard Rainer, CEO of HX Expeditions. “As we celebrate 130 years of exploration, our 2030 strategy sets a clear path for the future, strengthening accountability, sharpening our focus and ensuring we continue to lead in responsible expedition travel while contributing meaningfully to the wider industry.”

Read the full 2025 ESG Report here.

* 12% reduction in direct CO₂ emissions year on year, partly reflecting the removal of MS Maud from the HX Expeditions fleet.

** Emissions reductions reflect operational changes, including the removal of MS Maud; Sulphur reduction due to increased use of Low-Sulphur Marine Gas Oil