The annual report Environmental Practices and Technologies shows how the cruise industry is making progress in environmental sustainability
The Environmental Practices and Technologies 2024 report shows how the industry is continuously advancing its environmental sustainability agenda, including investment in ships and technologies that enable the adoption of alternative and transitional fuels.
“On their journey toward the ambition of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, shipping companies continue to reduce their emissions both when their ships are underway and when they are docked,” explains Kelly Craighead, President and CEO of CLIA. In this regard, “this year’s report demonstrates their progress; the industry is investing in engines that can be adapted to use more renewable energy when it becomes available and is taking progressive steps to adopt other technologies and practices that will advance other environmental sustainability initiatives,” she notes.
Key findings of the Environmental Practices and Technologies 2024 report
Fleet profile
CLIA's ocean-going fleet comprises 303 ships with a capacity of 635,000 berths at double occupancy, operated by 45 brands representing 90% of total passenger capacity; an increase of 3.6% and 3.34% respectively compared to the previous year.
Most of the ships operated by CLIA's ocean-going carriers are small to medium-sized.
Flexibility in the use of fuels
Cruise lines are investing in ships and engines that allow for flexibility in fuel use. This includes the option of using biodiesel, green methanol when available, and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Vessels equipped with fuel chains and engines powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) will be able to use low or zero emission fuels - such as bioLNG and synthetic LNG - without having to make modifications.
19 ships – representing 7% of the fleet and 13% of passenger capacity – use LNG as their primary propulsion source.
71 ships – representing 25% of the fleet and over 20% of passenger capacity – are equipped with SCR systems, a 34% increase compared to the previous year.
Connection to the onshore electrical grid (Onshore Power Supply systems – OPS)
147 ships can connect to the shore power grid, 23% more than last year and 167% more than in 2018. This figure (147 ships) represents 52% of the fleet and 61% of passenger capacity.
Looking ahead to 2028, it is expected that 239 ships will be able to connect to the shore power grid. This figure takes into account the forecasts for ships debuting in the period 2024-2028 (28) and ships that will be refurbished (64).
Currently, 35 ports worldwide where cruise ships operate offer shore power connections. This represents less than 3%.
Another 22 ports already have the necessary funding to develop this infrastructure, and 14 more are in the planning stage.
Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems (AWTS)
Most ships in the CLIA fleet use Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems (AWTS).
Within the CLIA fleet, 225 vessels (80% of the total) are equipped with AWTS, an increase of 11% compared to 2013 and 65% compared to 2014. These 225 vessels represent 84% of passenger capacity.
Water purification
Of the 267 cruise ships, representing 94% of the total and 96% of passenger capacity, 172—nearly 60% of the fleet—produce enough water to meet their needs.
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