Cruise lines, shipyards and marine equipment manufacturers have issued a Joint Declaration calling on the European Commission and European governments to include cruise ship construction and the marine technology sector in the upcoming Net-Zero Industry Law.
The Joint Declaration, announced at the CLIA European Summit 2023, calls for:
- Faster access to financing for sustainable shipbuilding and the manufacture of marine equipment to support Europe's world-leading position in this sector.
- the expansion of support and incentives for renewal and implementation programs of renewable energy for the maritime sector.
- a specific maritime program within the framework of the EU Capabilities Pact to ensure that digital, green and technical skills remain in Europe.
- To place the maritime sector at the heart of the EU's digital strategy to enable the exchange of knowledge on advanced digitalization practices in the sector.
In presenting the Joint Declaration, CLIA President Pierfrancesco Vago said: “Cruise lines are not only one of the most popular vacation choices among consumers today; they are already partnering with shipyards and marine technology providers to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050; there are pilot projects underway to test new fuels and propulsion solutions such as batteries, fuel cell technology, advanced biofuels and synthetic fuels.”.
“The time has come for European policymakers and governments to join the maritime technology sector. Europe has the opportunity to lead technological development and maritime excellence for the benefit of future generations,” Vago concluded.
For his part, SEA Europe President René Berkvens emphasized: “The construction of cruise ships and the integration of advanced equipment and technology on board such ships is very complex and showcases the maritime industrial capabilities and technical expertise of Europe’s shipyards and marine equipment industry.”.
“These capabilities and technical expertise,” Berkvens explained, “will not only be crucial for achieving the goals of the European Green Deal, but also for Europe to meet other policy objectives in defense, the blue economy, and the energy transition, as well as to safeguard Europe’s strategic maritime autonomy.”.
Within the framework of Fit for 55 and now with the Green Deal Industrial Plan, Europe is on a clear and ambitious path to combat climate change and become a carbon-neutral continent. SEA Europe and CLIA members began charting a course in this direction several years ago, building more energy-efficient vessels, using new types of fuel, and equipping ships with shore power. As the industry looks to the future, CLIA and SEA Europe remain fully committed to the EU's long-term goals.
Boosting the green industrial revolution in Europe
The cruise industry has a significant economic impact on Europe. More than 93% of the world's ocean-going cruise ships are built in European shipyards, representing around 80% of their order book.
The construction of 62 cruise ships over the next five years will represent a direct investment in Europe of more than 40 billion euros.
Economic impact in Europe
According to new CLIA data, the cruise industry generated an economic impact of 41 billion euros in Europe during 2021, despite the drastic reduction in passenger volume caused by pandemic restrictions.
The sector also supported the creation and maintenance of 315,000 jobs in Europe during this challenging period. The strength of the European shipbuilding sector and its links to the global cruise industry were key to maintaining strong levels of social and economic impact in Europe.
