The cruise industry is continuing its journey towards a more sustainable future, with a focus on reducing emissions and adopting alternative fuels. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading authority in the global cruise industry, has published its latest Global Cruise Industry Environmental Technologies and Practices Report, highlighting the sector’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
The report emphasizes the industry’s significant investments in vessels and technologies designed to transition to alternative fuels. CLIA president and CEO Kelly Craighead stated, “Cruise lines are continuing to reduce their emissions at sea and at berth in pursuit of net zero emissions by 2050. This year’s environmental technologies report demonstrates their progress, with the industry investing in engine technologies with conversion capabilities that will allow ships to use more renewable energy sources as they become available and making important incremental steps to employ a range of other environmental technologies and practices to advance the industry’s wider sustainability initiatives.”
Here are some key highlights from the 2024 Environmental Technologies and Practices report:
Fuel Flexibility:
* CLIA members are investing in ships and engines that are designed to be flexible in terms of fuel usage. This includes the capability to utilize renewable biodiesel, green methanol, and liquified natural gas (LNG).
* Ships equipped with LNG engines can seamlessly switch to near-zero emission fuels like bio or synthetic LNG in the future without requiring any engine modifications.
* Currently, 19 ships (7% of the fleet, accounting for 13% of global capacity) use LNG as their primary fuel source. This fuel offers significant environmental advantages, virtually eliminating sulfur emissions, reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by 85%, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20%.
* Industry reports indicate that methane slip (small methane leaks from LNG engines) is expected to decrease significantly in the coming years, with slip rates below 1% achievable.
Selective Catalytic Reduction Technology (SCR):
* 71 ships, representing 25% of the fleet and over 20% of global capacity, are equipped with SCR systems, marking a 34% increase since 2023.
* SCR technology effectively reduces nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions, enabling ships to meet IMO Tier III NOx emission standards.
Onshore Power Supply (OPS) Capability:
* By connecting to OPS in port, ships can shut down their engines, resulting in a reduction of pollutant emissions by up to 98%, depending on the energy source.
* Currently, 147 CLIA-member ships (52% of the total fleet and 61% of capacity) are equipped to connect to OPS, demonstrating a 23% increase over last year and a 167% rise since 2018.
* By 2028, 239 ships are projected to have OPS connectivity, including 64 currently in service and all 28 ships on the 2024-2028 order book.
* CLIA advocates for expanding OPS infrastructure as a vital strategy for reducing emissions in cruise ports and encourages investment in clean shoreside electricity.
* Currently, only 35 ports worldwide (less than 3%) have a cruise berth with OPS. However, 22 additional ports have secured funding for OPS infrastructure, and 16 more are planning to install it, bringing the total to 38 ports. The European Union’s “Fit for 55” decarbonization regulations require major ports across Europe to implement shore power by 2030, a move expected to accelerate investments in port infrastructure.
Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems (AWTS):
* Most CLIA-member ships operate advanced wastewater treatment systems (AWTS) that exceed MARPOL Annex IV standards and, in some cases, perform better than treatment plants in coastal cities. Cruise lines have also committed to not discharging untreated sewage globally during normal operations.
* Currently, 225 ships (80% of the fleet, representing 84% of global capacity) are equipped with AWTS, an 11% increase since 2023 and a 65% increase since 2018. More than a third of these ships meet the stricter wastewater standards of the Baltic Sea Special Area.
Freshwater Production:
* A majority of CLIA-member ships produce their own freshwater onboard, with 267 ships (94% of reporting ships and 96% of global capacity) capable of this. Of these, 172 ships (nearly 60% of the fleet) can generate enough freshwater to meet their total consumption needs.
