A new study published by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), conducted by independent experts, shows that CLIA member shipping companies are leaders in the commercial maritime sector in environmental management.
The study demonstrates that the overall environmental impact and performance of cruise ships are improving through the ongoing development of technology, alternative fuels, and strong, mandatory environmental policies. Furthermore, although cruise ships represent less than 1 percent of the global commercial shipping fleet, the industry's actions have influenced initiatives within the global maritime community.
The study analyzed the practices of nearly 300 ocean-going cruise ships, the global fleet of CLIA member shipping companies, as well as their investment in technological innovation on board newly built ships.
“Technical analysis of the cruise industry and its efforts to protect the environment shows that CLIA member cruise lines at sea often go beyond the environmental protection measures required by current regulations,” said James Corbett, University of Delaware professor of Marine Policy and Science, and one of the study’s authors. “The cruise industry also demonstrates a continued commitment to developing responsible environmental policies and investing in technological innovations to further protect the oceans and air.”.
Emissions
The United States and Europe are currently the world's largest cruise markets. Comparing emissions levels from all commercial vessels in U.S. and European ports, the study found that cruise ship emissions account for only 3 percent and 1.2 percent of all emissions in U.S. and European ports, respectively. EERA confirms that CLIA member cruise lines meet and even exceed international emissions requirements. The study also concluded that these cruise lines are leaders in the maritime industry in using cleaner fuels, controlling air emissions, and preparing ships to connect to shore power systems. The technologies and practices identified in the EERA report include the following:
- Systems to reduce atmospheric emissions from chimneys, including advanced gas cleaning systems (EGCS) to reduce sulfur oxide (SOx) and particulate matter.
- Utilizing shore power when available. CLIA member cruise lines are making progress in using alternative fuels and emissions-reduction technologies, which could reduce the need for future shore power investment.
- Use of low-sulfur fuel before entering an Emission Control Area (ECA), if the cruise ship does not have other methods of reducing emissions.
- Investment in the use of alternative fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), with an increase in the number of new orders for LNG-powered ships under construction.
Sewage
The EERA report indicates that wastewater discharges from CLIA member shipping companies at sea meet and even exceed the standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for international shipping. CLIA's mandatory wastewater discharge policy prohibits the discharge of untreated sewage from cruise ships into the sea and goes far beyond international regulations.
CLIA member cruise lines are also leaders in the development of Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems (AWTS). At least 26 of the new ships currently under construction will use AWTS, and 50 percent of new cruise ships in the next decade will use AWTS. Compared to the global commercial shipping fleet, of which cruise ships represent less than 1 percent, EERA confirmed that CLIA member shipping lines have demonstrated leadership in wastewater management in several areas:
- Policy on the discharge of untreated wastewater.
- Development and implementation of advanced wastewater treatment systems in a significant number of new cruise ships.
- Compliance with all national and international wastewater regulations, in many cases exceeding the performance of the wider commercial maritime community.
- Voluntary compliance with the Baltic Sea measures for wastewater prior to implementation.
