Serving 2 Million Fresher Meals: Hydroponic Harvests Improve Wellbeing and Reduce Waste
SINGAPORE, July 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Berge Bulk, one of the world's leading dry bulk ship owners, has harvested over 1.2 metric tonnes of fresh vegetables at sea in 2024 through its fleetwide hydroponics programme. Launched in 2019, the initiative is part of Berge Bulk's broader efforts to improve crew's wellbeing and reduce food and packaging waste. It supports Berge Bulk's YouMatter wellbeing programme and their Blue Matters environmental campaign.
In partnership with Aerospring Hydroponics, Berge Bulk installed 150 advanced hydroponic systems across 75 vessels. These systems enable crew members to grow vegetables and herbs such as lettuce, cherry tomatoes, capsicum, chili, basil, and rosemary in a soil-free, nutrient-rich water environment.
The programme also contributes to the company's environmental sustainability ambitions. Michael Blanding, Head of Sustainability & Communications, explains, "We serve nearly 2 million meals annually, so growing our own produce means that we are using less plastic food packaging and avoiding emissions from transportation of food. We are also seeing a significant decrease in food waste on board."
As of the end of 2024, Berge Bulk had achieved a 12% reduction in food waste per vessel (vs. 2021 baseline), ahead of the company's stated target to achieve a 10% reduction by the end of 2025.
Voices from the Sea
"Watching plants grow from seed to harvest on board is incredibly fulfilling. It's refreshing, therapeutic, and brings our team together," shares Captain Noli Paraunda.
Berge Bulk Messmen grow, harvest, and maintain the hydroponic crops while engaging fellow crew members in the process. Berge Bulk also manages an active online community where Chief Cooks and Messmen from across the fleet share photos, recipes, and best practice tips.
To encourage participation and creativity, Berge Bulk runs regular fleetwide hydroponics competitions. Vessels compete to grow the heaviest capsicum, harvest the largest volume of produce, or create the most innovative dish using hydroponic ingredients.
In 2024, top-performing vessels included Berge Phan Xi Pang (124 kg harvested) and Berge Olympus (88 kg harvested).
From sustainability to seafarer wellbeing, Berge Bulk continues to innovate at sea - proving that a greener, healthier future can start onboard.
--- END OF RELEASE ---
Notes to Editor:
- Berge Bulk serves nearly 2 million meals annually across its fleet of vessels.
- As of 2024 year-end, Berge Bulk had installed 150 hydroponics systems onboard 75 vessels (2 systems per vessel).
- At the start of 2024, Berge Bulk set a target to harvest 1 metric tonne of hydroponic produce by year-end. As of 2024 year-end, Berge Bulk had exceeded this target with a total harvest of 1,248 kg.
- Top performing vessels: The top five vessels by harvest in 2024 were Berge Phan Xi Pang (124 kg), Berge Olympus (88 kg), Berge Mauna Kea (66 kg), Berge Grossglockner (58 kg), and Berge Snowdon (54 kg).
- Hydroponics system details: Each hydroponic system is aeroponic, allowing for soil-free, vertical vegetable cultivation using nutrient-rich water, ensuring minimal resource consumption. The system can grow up to 27 plants at a time and occupies less than 1 m2 of floor space.
- Reducing food waste: Berge Bulk has set a target to achieve a 10% reduction in food waste by the end of 2025 (vs. 2021 baseline). As of 2024 year-end, Berge Bulk had already exceeded this target and achieved a 12% reduction.
- Most popular produce: The top five items most commonly grown using the hydroponics systems on Berge Bulk ships are lettuce, bok choy, parsley, basil, and chili.
- Crew engagement: Berge Bulk runs quarterly competitions on Well@Sea (their online platform for crew wellbeing) in which vessels take part in hydroponics challenges.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Berge Bulk Harvests One Metric Tonne of Fresh Produce at Sea
|
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda reveals that Vietnam is becoming an increasingly popular year-end travel choice for families in the region and beyond. Based on searches made between September and November 2025 for stays during December 2025 and January 2026, Agoda recorded a 30% increase in family travel interest to Vietnam compared with the same period the previous year.
Agoda data shows that Vietnam is attracting more international families than ever this winter holiday season. South Koreans take the lead as the top market interested in traveling to Vietnam in December and January, with families from India, Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia rounding out the top five. Notably, Agoda reported that Indian families showcased the highest growth in travel interest to Vietnam during this period, with a 186% increase in searches. Malaysians also, are expressing strong growth in interest, with a 74% increase in searches, highlighting Vietnam's appeal as a family destination in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Families are choosing Vietnam for its storied culture and cuisine, diverse landscapes, and abundance of family-friendly resorts and attractions.
Phu Quoc Island leads as the most sought-after destination among international family travelers with a 47% increase in searches, popular for its sandy beaches, calm waters, and nature parks ideal for multi-generation vacations. Da Nang follows with 42% growth in travel interest, noted for its beaches, soft adventure activities, and access to Ba Na Hills theme park. Nha Trang comes in third place, remaining a favorite for its long coastline, family-oriented resorts, and island experiences. In fourth place, Ho Chi Minh City appeals with its vibrant food scene, entertainment complexes, and day trips to the Mekong Delta. In the north, Hanoi continues to draw families with its cultural landmarks, museums, and festive atmosphere, rounding out the top five most family-friendly year-end destinations in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, although Vietnamese families traditionally travel less internationally at the end of the year – typically preferring to wait for the Lunar New Year - China is becoming a noticeable exception. Among the top 20 outbound destinations preferred by Vietnamese families during the December-January period, searches for Shanghai increased 58%, while Beijing increased 59%. This shift is supported by the launch of new direct routes between Hanoi and selected Chinese cities earlier this year, making end-of-year overseas trips more accessible than ever.
Vu Ngoc Lam, Country Director at Agoda, said: "It is wonderful to see Vietnam increasingly chosen as an end-of-year holiday destination for families from across Asia and beyond. Agoda's data shows that travelers are recognizing Vietnam's family-friendly appeal, which further strengthen its position on the global travel map. As more families plan their festive-season or year-end getaways, we are delighted to support them through Agoda's simple, intuitive platform and our wide range of stays, flights, and activities."
With over 6 million properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities, all bookable in one seamless itinerary, Agoda helps families plan memorable year-end holidays, whether they choose a peaceful beach break, a cultural city escape, or an international exploration to mark the close of the year.
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda reveals that Vietnam is becoming an increasingly popular year-end travel choice for families in the region and beyond. Based on searches made between September and November 2025 for stays during December 2025 and January 2026, Agoda recorded a 30% increase in family travel interest to Vietnam compared with the same period the previous year.
Agoda data shows that Vietnam is attracting more international families than ever this winter holiday season. South Koreans take the lead as the top market interested in traveling to Vietnam in December and January, with families from India, Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia rounding out the top five. Notably, Agoda reported that Indian families showcased the highest growth in travel interest to Vietnam during this period, with a 186% increase in searches. Malaysians also, are expressing strong growth in interest, with a 74% increase in searches, highlighting Vietnam's appeal as a family destination in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Families are choosing Vietnam for its storied culture and cuisine, diverse landscapes, and abundance of family-friendly resorts and attractions.
Phu Quoc Island leads as the most sought-after destination among international family travelers with a 47% increase in searches, popular for its sandy beaches, calm waters, and nature parks ideal for multi-generation vacations. Da Nang follows with 42% growth in travel interest, noted for its beaches, soft adventure activities, and access to Ba Na Hills theme park. Nha Trang comes in third place, remaining a favorite for its long coastline, family-oriented resorts, and island experiences. In fourth place, Ho Chi Minh City appeals with its vibrant food scene, entertainment complexes, and day trips to the Mekong Delta. In the north, Hanoi continues to draw families with its cultural landmarks, museums, and festive atmosphere, rounding out the top five most family-friendly year-end destinations in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, although Vietnamese families traditionally travel less internationally at the end of the year – typically preferring to wait for the Lunar New Year - China is becoming a noticeable exception. Among the top 20 outbound destinations preferred by Vietnamese families during the December-January period, searches for Shanghai increased 58%, while Beijing increased 59%. This shift is supported by the launch of new direct routes between Hanoi and selected Chinese cities earlier this year, making end-of-year overseas trips more accessible than ever.
Vu Ngoc Lam, Country Director at Agoda, said: "It is wonderful to see Vietnam increasingly chosen as an end-of-year holiday destination for families from across Asia and beyond. Agoda's data shows that travelers are recognizing Vietnam's family-friendly appeal, which further strengthen its position on the global travel map. As more families plan their festive-season or year-end getaways, we are delighted to support them through Agoda's simple, intuitive platform and our wide range of stays, flights, and activities."
With over 6 million properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities, all bookable in one seamless itinerary, Agoda helps families plan memorable year-end holidays, whether they choose a peaceful beach break, a cultural city escape, or an international exploration to mark the close of the year.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Agoda Data Shows Vietnam Rising as a Favorite End-of-Year Destination for Families Across Asia and Beyond
