Motorschiff Jungfrau vor dem Giessbach

Sustainability Fund Lake Cruise

BLS Navigation Ltd. operates daily cruises through one of Switzerland's most beautiful natural landscapes – and takes responsibility for it. For us, sustainability is not just a goal, but a commitment to future generations. Through targeted measures to reduce CO₂ emissions, improve energy efficiency, and protect natural resources, we actively promote environmentally friendly mobility on water. Join us on this journey – voluntarily, transparently, and with real impact.

Your contribution to a greener future on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz

When buying a ticket in our online shop, a voluntary contribution to the sustainability fund is automatically added. You decide whether to keep it or remove it.

Your benefits:

  • The contribution is voluntary and transparent
  • Funds go directly into sustainable projects
  • Every contribution helps make our services more environmentally friendly
Familie sitzt gemeinsam auf dem Steg in Iseltwald und schaut auf den See
Schifffahrt auf dem Thunersee

What is the sustainability fund?

The sustainability fund is a dedicated account managed by BLS Navigation Ltd., where all voluntary contributions are collected. These funds may only be used for sustainable projects – such as promoting eco-friendly technologies, improving energy efficiency, or protecting the local natural environment.

Completed projects are continuously published here and can be tracked transparently. This way, you can always see how your contribution makes a difference.

Highlight project

LED Retrofit on MS Berner Oberland – Winter 2025/26

Currently, around CHF 10,000 is being invested in upgrading the lighting system on the MS Berner Oberland. The existing 200 LED spotlights, installed in 1996, each consume 25 watts per hour. They will be replaced with modern 3-watt fixtures.

  • Savings: 22 watts per spotlight – a total reduction of 4.4 kilowatts in hourly energy consumption
  • Comparison: That’s roughly equivalent to the power used by two hairdryers running for one hour
  • Goal: Increase energy efficiency and reduce electricity consumption in a sustainable way

Further planned projects

The sustainability fund is dedicated to promoting sustainable development. The following ideas represent areas of action that are not yet in the implementation phase but are being evaluated as potential future measures:

Energy & Propulsion

  • Use of alternative fuels such as HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oils)*
  • Electrification of individual vessels
  • Training courses for captains to optimise driving behaviour (e.g. eco-driving)
  • Infrastructure & buildings

*Obtained from biological residues and waste such as vegetable oils or animal fats.

Energy-efficient renovations of administrative and operational buildings

  • Modernization of lighting systems (e.g. LED)
  • Sustainable new construction of shipyard and service facilities
  • Charging and supply solutions

Development of power infrastructure for future electric propulsion systems

  • Collaboration with regional energy providers for grid connection

These project ideas illustrate the direction in which our sustainability strategy could evolve. Implementation will take place following careful evaluation and within the scope of our capabilities.

Projects already implemented

BLS Navigation has already taken concrete steps to promote sustainability:

  • Hybrid Propulsion: MS Bubenberg (Lake Thun) and MS Jungfrau (Lake Brienz) have been equipped with modern hybrid engines.
  • Solar System at Thun Shipyard: The new shipyard facility was sustainably built using Swiss timber and fitted with a photovoltaic system that covers approximately one third of the shipyard’s total electricity needs.