MedCruise President Figen Ayan and the members of the MedCruise board of directors have made sustainability one of the cornerstones of their 2021-2024 term, as European law requires a 55% reduction in emissions by 2030.
European countries are working on new legislation to meet not only this objective, but also the goal of being “carbon neutral” by 2050. One of these is Regulation 2023/1805 of 13 September 2023, which sets reductions in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from ships of 2% from 2025 and 80% from 2050. It also establishes significant incentives for the use of non-biological renewable fuels (NBRF).
Another important requirement of European regulation is the obligation for ports to supply ships with sustainable electricity (OPS – Onshore Power Supply) while in port so they can turn off their engines, starting in 2030. This is a significant challenge in terms of technical projects, permits and works, which will fall on port authorities in a short period of time.
Not only are ships emitters, but port and auxiliary activities themselves generate their own emissions. That is why, at MedCruise, the association of cruise ports in the Mediterranean and adjacent seas, two of the twelve board members are dedicated to sustainability, although all members can contribute ideas or perspectives on this topic. Jamil Ouazzani is responsible for “Ecosystems and Sustainability,” and Valeria Mangiarotti is responsible for “Environmental Technical Solutions.”.
The cruise industry has taken two clear paths: the use of LNG in most new ships, and the provision of shore power connections for both new ships and those already in service.
MedCruise initiatives as an organization
Professional development
MedCruise offers quality training to its associates under the Professional Development Course (PDC) program to better understand the opportunities to make a more sustainable cruise industry.
At the PDC 2022 held in Istanbul, the prestigious international expert Miguel Nuñez-Sanchez, PhD in Naval and Ocean Engineering and negotiator representing Spain at the International Maritime Organization regarding GHG policies, and before the EU for the “Fitfor55” objective, gave a presentation
Nuñez-Sanchez prepared a program that covered everything from challenges and opportunities in the regulatory framework, sources of pollution and GHGs, to global and regional measures to increase sustainability in cruise traffic.
At the end of the course, more than 30 participants reported returning home with the essential knowledge and appropriate terminology to understand, discuss, and make related decisions for the benefit of their organizations or companies.
The PDC 2024 took place from January 15 to 17 on board the MSC Fantasia, covering topics such as energy management on board cruise ships; water recycling and purification facilities; MSC Cruises' sustainability strategies and plans; and a workshop on waste and the circular economy.
Michele Francioni, Senior Vice President of MSC Cruises; Ivana Melillo, Head of Energy Efficiency and Funded Projects at MSC Cruises; and Marieta García Prieto, President and Managing Partner of the GEA Cooperative; were responsible for introducing these topics to the 38 attendees from 10 different countries. These 38 attendees represented 25 member ports and 4 associate members.
BlueMissionMed
MedCruise is also an active partner in the European project BlueMissionMed, which aims to "prevent and eliminate pollution in the Mediterranean Sea and European waters" by serving as a connection for initiatives that can be scaled up by mobilizing relevant actors to achieve their objectives.
One record, one tree
MedCruise has started a campaign whereby they plant a tree for every registration at their semi-annual general assemblies.
- At the 60th Costa Brava General Assembly in May 2022, 185 trees were planted.
- At the 62nd Corfu General Assembly in May 2023, 160 trees were planted.
- At the 63rd General Assembly in Burgas in October 2023, 110 trees were planted.
Policy of not printing 80%
The association has chosen not to print 80% of its publications.
- All MedCruise publications are made online only
- Business cards for the president, secretary, and board of directors are offered via a digital QR code.
- MedCruise works with friendly media outlets to reduce impressions.
