Going green on the big blue

Cruise lines are making significant strides in reducing their carbon footprint, according to the latest Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) survey.

The 2023 Global Cruise Industry Environmental Technologies and Practices Report revealed that the current order book includes 44 new ships during the next five years, 25 of which will be powered by liquefied natural gas.

A further seven will be either methanol ready on delivery, or methanol capable.

In addition, an increasing number of vessels sailing and launching over the next five years will use alternative fuels.

The 2023 report also highlights other significant investments cruise lines are making to reduce emissions at berth and at sea, such as shoreside electricity, which allows cruise ships to switch off engines for significant emissions reductions while in port.

More cruise lines are diversifying energy solutions by incorporating multi-fuel engines. Trials include fuel cell technology, wind (including solid sail) technology, photovoltaic solutions and battery storage for power shaving.

Efficiency tracking systems are now in use on 171 CLIA-member ships, representing 60 per cent of the global fleet, with many more systems planned.

Also, cruise lines are pursuing fuel flexibility, investing in propulsion technologies with conversion capabilities for the future: 32 pilot projects and collaborative initiatives are under way with sustainable fuel producers and engine companies.

The report says the availability of sustainable marine fuels remains essential to achieving the maritime industry’s decarbonisation goals and underscores the need for governments to support research efforts to accelerate development of these fuels so they are safe, viable and available for use.

“Achieving our collective sustainability ambitions requires substantial investment from the public and private sector. We need governments to support research efforts, as well as provide a clear and stable regulatory landscape, so that fuel suppliers and others can do the critical work needed,” CLIA chair Pierfrancesco Vago said:

There are several highlights of the sector’s environmental progress.

Shoreside Electricity (SSE)

Plugging into shoreside electricity allows ship engines to be switched off, reducing emissions by up to 98 per cent, 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 US Environmental Protection Agency.

• Across the CLIA cruise-line member fleet, 120 ships are equipped to connect to shoreside electricity, with 86 per cent of CLIA member ships (95 per cent of global passenger capacity) coming online between now and 2028 specified for shoreside electricity system.

• However, only 32 ports, representing fewer than 2 per cent of the world’s ports, have at least one cruise berth with plug-in capability.

• As part of the European Union’s Fit for 55 green programs, major ports in Europe will be required to have shoreside power by 2030.

Renewable fuels, alternative energy

Various CLIA member lines are trialling, using and incorporating the capability to run on renewable fuels, including biofuels and synthetic carbon fuels, into new-build ships.

• Within the CLIA member fleet, four ships use renewable biofuel as an energy source, 24 are undergoing biofuel trials and two synthetic carbon trials.

• Seven new-build ships are anticipated to run on zero-carbon fuels, including five ships envisioned to use green methanol and two envisioned to use green hydrogen.

Liquefied natural gas

As the cruise industry anticipates the transition to a future of sustainable, renewable fuels, several cruise ships are utilising LNG. Ships designed with LNG engines and fuel supply systems are able to switch to bio or synthetic LNG in the future, with few or no modifications.

• The 2023 report found 48 per cent of new-build capacity will be designed with LNG engines and fuel supply systems.