Cruise Is Sailing Toward A Better Future.
At the forefront of environmental stewardship, cruise lines are committed to navigating towards a more sustainable future. Through extensive efforts, the global fleet is actively reducing emissions both at berth and at sea, showcasing a dedication to environmental responsibility. They are prioritising investment in cutting-edge environmental technologies onboard, ensuring operations align with the highest standards of sustainability. Collaborating closely with cities and ports, Cruise Lines actively engage in sustainable destination management, creating a balance between the pleasure of cruising and the preservation of our planet.
Cruise lines are sailing to a better future – pursuing fuel flexibility by investing today in propulsion technologies with conversion capabilities for the future.
- Reducing emissions while at berth and at sea
- Investing in advanced environmental technologies onboard
- Partnering with cities and ports on sustainable destination management
Renewable fuels and alternative energy sources
Various lines are trialing, using, and incorporating into new-build ships the capability to run on renewable fuels, including biofuels and synthetic carbon fuels.
LNG
As the cruise industry anticipates the transition to a future of sustainable, renewable fuels, several cruise ships are utilizing liquified natural gas (LNG). Ships designed with LNG engines and fuel supply systems are able to switch to bio or synthetic LNG in the future, with little or no modifications.
Sustainable Marine Fuels and Propulsion
The cruise industry is at the forefront of exploring sustainable marine fuels, including biofuels and other advanced approaches such as biodiesel, methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, and electric batteries.
Hybrid Solutions
More than 15% of the new vessels to be launched in the next five years will be equipped to incorporate fuel cells or batteries, as part of a hybrid approach towards lowering the carbon footprint of the voyage.
Shoreside Electricity (SSE) Capability
Plugging into shoreside electricity allows ship engines to be switched off, reducing emissions by up to 98%, depending on the mix of energy sources, while a ship is in port, according to studies conducted by a number of the world’s ports and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Where can cruise ships connect?
While today, across the CLIA cruise-line member fleet, 120 ships (46% of the total and a 48% increase in the number of ships with SSE since 2022) are equipped to connect to shoreside electricity, only 33 ports worldwide have at least one cruise berth equipped with onshore power. This represents – just 2% of the world’s ports where cruise ships can plug in and reduce emissions.
NZCA are firm supporters of the TIA Tourism Sustainability Commitment and Environment Industry Transformation Plan.