The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading representative of the global cruise sector, has unveiled its annual Global Cruise Industry Environmental Technologies and Practices Report. The report highlights significant advancements in sustainability, including investments in ships and technologies designed to utilize transitional and alternative fuels.
Kelly Craighead, CLIA President and CEO, emphasized the industry’s commitment to reducing emissions at sea and at berth, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. The report showcases ongoing investments in engine technologies that will enable the use of renewable energy as it becomes available, alongside various environmental initiatives that support the industry’s sustainability goals.
Fleet Profile
The CLIA-member ocean fleet consists of 303 ships with a total capacity of 635,000 lower berths, operated by 45 cruise line brands. This represents 90% of global cruise capacity, with increases of 3.6% in the number of ships and 3.34% in capacity from the previous year. The fleet includes a range of ship sizes:
- 35% are small ships (fewer than 1,000 lower berths).
- 38% are mid-size ships (1,000 to fewer than 3,000 lower berths).
- 26% are large ships (3,000 or more lower berths).
Fuel Flexibility
CLIA member cruise lines are investing in new ships and engines that support fuel flexibility, including renewable biodiesel and green methanol, alongside liquefied natural gas (LNG). Nineteen ships (7% of the fleet and 13% of total capacity) are using LNG as their primary propulsion. LNG offers significant environmental benefits, including near-zero sulfur and particulate emissions, an 85% reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, and up to a 20% decrease in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Ongoing efforts are addressing methane slip, with some industry experts predicting a reduction to less than 1% within a few years.
Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) Technology
Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology, which reduces particulate matter and NOx emissions, is installed on 71 ships (25% of the fleet and more than 20% of global capacity), a 34% increase from 2023. This technology helps ships meet IMO Tier III NOx emissions standards.
Onshore Power Supply
Ships connecting to onshore power supply (OPS) can switch off their engines while in port, reducing emissions by up to 98%. Currently, 147 ships (52% of the fleet and 61% of capacity) are equipped to connect to OPS, a 23% increase from last year and a 167% increase since 2018. By 2028, 239 ships will be OPS-capable. However, only 35 ports worldwide have OPS infrastructure, with plans for 22 more ports and funding in place for an additional 16.
Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems
Most CLIA member ships operate with advanced wastewater treatment systems (AWTS) that exceed MARPOL Annex IV standards and outperform some land-based systems. Across the fleet, 225 ships (80% of the total, representing 84% of global capacity) are equipped with AWTS, an 11% increase from 2023. More than one-third of these ships meet the stricter standards of the Baltic Sea Special Area.
Freshwater Production
The majority of CLIA ships produce their own freshwater onboard, with 267 ships (94% of reporting ships and 96% of global capacity) capable of freshwater production. Of these, 172 ships (nearly 60% of the fleet) can produce enough water to match their total consumption.
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Source: PR Newswire
