CLIA publishes the results of its report Environmental Practices and Technologies 2022. The report highlights the industry’s progress toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions globally by 2050.
The report reinforces the industry’s reputation as an innovative sector and a pioneer in the adoption of new environmental technologies, citing examples such as the increase in the number of newly built ships that will be able to use zero-emission propulsion systems when they become available, and the investments made to equip ships to connect to the power grid.
In fact, more than 15% of the ships set to be launched in the next five years will be able to incorporate fuel cells and batteries, and 85% of new cruise ships (through 2028) will be able to connect to the power grid, allowing engines to be shut down while docked, which will result in a significant reduction in emissions.
CLIA President & CEO Kelly Craighead states: “Innovation and engineering are at the heart of the industry’s vision to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.” In this regard, Craighead continues: “The industry continues to lead the way by investing billions in the adoption of new technologies, accelerating the development of sustainable marine fuels—specifically engines capable of running on them—and equipping the current fleet and new ships with systems that allow them to connect to the onshore power grid.” “These are the fundamental pillars for the decarbonization of maritime transport; we are acting now with an eye toward the future,” he concludes.
Despite the progress made, the report emphasizes that a transition to sustainable marine fuels is essential to achieving the decarbonization goals for maritime transport. It also underscores the urgent need for governments to support research to accelerate the development of these fuels so that they are safe, viable, and available for widespread use.
To this end, CLIA supports the Getting to Zero Coalition’s Call to Action for the Decarbonization of Shipping, an alliance that complements the leadership exercised by each shipping company and the agreements they enter into with other entities with which they collaborate in the search for solutions aimed at decarbonization.
“The cruise industry has always been—and will continue to be—at the forefront of environmental and maritime technologies,” says CLIA Global President Pierfrancesco Vago. “At this stage of our journey toward net-zero emissions, clear support from governments and policymakers is needed to ensure that the appropriate infrastructure is developed and to foster the research and innovation required for the development of sustainable marine fuels,” adds Vago.
The report notes that shipping companies continue to make progress toward reducing emissions:
Electrical connection to shore power: Cruise lines continue to make significant investments to connect ships to the power grid while they are docked, which requires shutting down the engines.
- Forty percent of the global fleet (a 20% increase year over year) is equipped with the technology needed to connect to the power grid at the 29 ports around the world (less than 2%) where this option is available.
- 98% of the ships in the fleet (through 2028) will be equipped with systems that allow for electrical connection to shore or will be configured to be able to use this type of power in the future.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): LNG will be the primary source of propulsion for 61% of the ships currently under construction. Its use reduces emissions of particulate matter (PM) by 95–100%; sulfur emissions to virtually zero; and nitrogen oxides by 85%.
Although LNG is a transition fuel, its benefits are already evident; furthermore, LNG-powered ships can be adapted to use future generations of sustainable marine fuels.
Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS): More than 79% of the current fleet uses exhaust gas cleaning systems that meet or exceed air emissions regulations, a figure that represents a 7-point increase compared to 2021. In addition, 88% of ships under construction that will not use LNG will be equipped with EGCS.
Advanced wastewater treatment systems (AWTS): 100% of the ships in the portfolio will be equipped with AWTS, and 78% of the fleet in service is already equipped with them (9% more than in 2021).
The industry’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 was announced earlier this year and is in line with the goal set by the Paris Agreement. It is also supported by the interim goal of reducing carbon emissions by 40% (compared to 2008 levels) by 2030, in line with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) initial strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
