The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has released a new report highlighting the steps its members have made towards developing a more sustainable industry.

The report aims to show off the cruise industry’s role in the use of maritime technologies that benefit the entire shipping industry.

It claims the industry has invested over $32.5 billion in ships with new technologies and cleaner fuels to reduce air emissions. This is a $2 billion increase over the 2019 report findings.

“Even as we have worked to address and overcome the impacts of COVID-19, the cruise industry remains committed to a cleaner, more sustainable future,” said Kelly Craighead, president and chief executive of CLIA.

“With over $32.5 billion invested in ships with new technologies and cleaner fuels, such as exhaust gas cleaning systems and liquified natural gas, I can only imagine what we will accomplish together in the next ten years and beyond.

“This report affirms our commitment to environmental sustainability and I commend our members for their continued leadership and demonstration of the highest standards of responsible tourism.”

According to the report, progress has been achieved in the following areas:

• LNG fuel – The 2020 report found 49 per cent of new-build capacity will rely on LNG fuel for primary propulsion, a 51 per cent increase in overall capacity compared to 2018.
• Exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) – More than 69 per cent of global capacity utilises EGCS to meet or exceed air emissions requirements, representing an increase in capacity of 25 per cent compared to 2018.
• Advanced wastewater treatment systems – 99 per cent of new ships on order are specified to have advanced wastewater treatment systems.
• Shore-side power capability – In port, cruise ships are increasingly equipped with the technology to allow delivery of shoreside electricity, thus allowing engines to be switched off, and there are many collaborations with ports and governments to increase the availability.

CLIA’s global chairman, Adam Goldstein, said: “The cruise industry works every day to advance its responsible tourism efforts, and recognises that continued and greater investment in research is critical to identifying and producing new fuels and propulsion systems.

“This is why CLIA, along with other  maritime sector partners, have proposed to establish and fund a US$5 billion research and development board dedicated to working collaboratively across the sector to identify the technologies and energy sources that will provide additional opportunities to lessen our environmental footprint and meet the ambitious goals set by the IMO.”

To see the full report, go here.

Featured image source: iStock/tzahiV