CLIA publishes the results of its Environmental Practices and Technologies 2022. This shows the industry's progress towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions globally by 2050.
The aforementioned report reinforces the industry's credentials as an innovative and pioneering sector in the adoption of new environmental technologies, mentioning some examples such as the increase in the number of newly built ships that will be able to use zero-emission propulsion sources when they become available and the investments aimed at equipping ships to connect to the electrical grid.
In fact, more than 15% of the ships that will debut in the next five years will be able to incorporate fuel cells and batteries, and 85% of new cruise ships (until 2028) will be able to connect to the electrical grid, allowing the engines to be switched off when docked, which will mean 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.” Craighead continues, “The industry is leading the way by investing billions in the adoption of new technologies, accelerating the development of sustainable marine fuels—specifically engines designed to run on them—and equipping the existing fleet and new vessels with systems that allow for connection to shore power.” “These are the fundamental pillars for decarbonizing shipping; we are acting now for the future,” she concludes.
Despite the progress, the report emphasizes that a transition to sustainable marine fuels. 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 widely available.
To this end, CLIA supports the Getting to Zero Coalition's Call to Action for Decarbonization of Shipping, an alliance that complements the leadership exercised by each of the shipping companies and the agreements they sign with other entities with which they work 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 essential to ensure the development of appropriate infrastructure and to foster the research and innovation required for the development of sustainable marine fuels,” Vago adds.
The report indicates that shipping companies continue to make progress towards reducing emissions:
Electrical connection to shore: Cruise companies continue to make significant investments to connect ships to the electrical grid when they are docked, which involves turning off the engines.
- 40% of the global fleet (20% more year after year) is equipped with the technology needed to connect to the electrical grid in the 29 ports around the world (less than 2%) where this option is offered.
- 98% of the ships in the order book (until 2028) will be equipped with systems that allow electrical connection to land or will be configured to be able to use this type of energy in the future.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): LNG will be the primary propulsion source for 61% of ships under construction. Its use reduces particulate matter (PM) emissions by 95-100%, sulfur emissions to virtually zero, and nitrogen oxide emissions by 85%.
Although LNG is a transitional fuel, its benefits are already evident; moreover, LNG-powered ships can be retrofitted to use the next generations of sustainable marine fuels.
Exhaust gas scrubbing systems (EGCS): More than 79% of the current fleet uses exhaust gas scrubbing systems that meet or exceed atmospheric emissions regulations, a figure that represents an increase of 7 points compared to 2021. In addition, 88% of ships under construction that will not use LNG will incorporate EGCS.
Advanced wastewater treatment systems (AWTS): 100% of ships in the order book will have AWTS and 78% of the fleet in service is 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 target 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 initial Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy .
