Cruise Lines International Association’s Fresh Report Puts a Spotlight on Eco-Innovations and Sustainable Practices in Global Cruising

Published on September 6, 2024

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) unveils its latest report, highlighting the cruise industry’s advancements in sustainability and alternative fuel investments.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the foremost authority in the global cruise industry, has unveiled its latest Global Cruise Industry Environmental Technologies and Practices Report. The report highlights the sector’s ongoing advancements in promoting environmental sustainability, including significant investments in vessels and technologies aimed at adopting transitional and alternative fuels.

“Cruise lines are continuing to reduce their emissions at sea and at berth in pursuit of net zero emissions by 2050,” said Kelly Craighead, president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association. “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.”

Key insights from the 2024 Environmental Technologies and Practices report of the cruise industry include:

Fleet Overview

The CLIA-member ocean fleet consists of 303 ships, offering a total capacity of 635,000 lower berths across 45 cruise line brands, representing 90% of the global capacity. This reflects an increase of 3.6% in the number of ships and 3.34% in capacity compared to the previous year.

An analysis of the current CLIA member fleet reveals that most ocean-going ships are small to mid-size. The fleet’s distribution is as follows:

• 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 members are investing in ships and engines designed for fuel flexibility. This includes capabilities for using renewable biodiesel, green methanol, and liquified natural gas (LNG). Ships equipped with LNG engines will be able to switch to near-zero emission fuels, such as bio or synthetic LNG, in the future without requiring engine modifications.

Currently, 19 ships (7% of the fleet, accounting for 13% of global capacity) use LNG as their primary fuel source. LNG has virtually no sulfur emissions, reduces nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by 85%, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20%. Industry reports suggest 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, or 25% of the fleet, representing over 20% of global capacity, are equipped with SCR systems, marking a 34% increase since 2023. SCR technology helps reduce 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 turn off their engines, reducing pollutant emissions by up to 98%, depending on energy sources.

Currently, 147 CLIA-member ships (52% of the total fleet and 61% of capacity) are equipped to connect to OPS, a 23% increase over last year and a 167% rise since 2018. By 2028, 239 ships are expected to have OPS connectivity, including 64 currently in service and all 28 ships on the 2024-2028 order book.

CLIA supports the expansion of OPS infrastructure as a key strategy for reducing emissions in cruise ports and encourages investment in clean shoreside electricity. Presently, only 35 ports worldwide (fewer 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.

In accordance with the European Union’s “Fit for 55” decarbonization regulations, major ports across Europe must implement shore power by 2030, a move anticipated 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 discharge 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

The 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.