The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) European Summit was recently held in Genoa. At the event, industry leaders and policymakers discussed implementation of the industry’s climate goals, latest innovations and investments, and the need for government investment. Specifically, industry leaders called on governments to join in the effort of decarbonizating cruising. Governments can help by creating the right regulatory framework and investments to quicken progress and delivery of sustainable maritime fuels and technologies necessary to achieve net-zero carbon cruising by 2050.
Cruise lines are making substantial investments in research projects and new technologies to improve their environmental performance. New vessels are, however, only one facet of the equation. The industry will also need access to adequate infrastructure and supply of sustainable fuels to achieve its objectives.
During opening remarks at the summit, Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises and global chair, CLIA said: “The cruise industry shares a vision with European governments of a sustainable blue economy. The industry is stepping up and can deliver on our promises. Clear support from decision-makers is needed to ensure that the right infrastructure is developed and is accessible, and that the right incentives can guarantee the development and delivery of sustainable maritime solutions.”
Marie-Caroline Laurent, CLIA’s director general in Europe, added: “The cruise industry has already taken firm and robust measures towards achieving its decarbonization goals and, collectively, is committed to deliver. The cruise industry is powering European maritime industry innovation and is critical to help the E.U. to deliver the necessary step change towards decarbonization. It is essential that we now need a clear legislative framework to encourage the investment and innovation that will be required for industry to achieve the 2030 EU ‘Fit for 55’ objectives and ultimately our 2050 ambitions.”
A panel of cruise lines, shipyards, manufacturers, port operators and fuel producers met to discuss potential alternative fuels and technologies on the horizon to deliver zero-emission cruising. The capacity to produce renewable marine fuels at scale remains limited, with more focus on other transport modes. The industry is calling for adequate incentives and support mechanisms from governments to secure the supply of future sustainable fuels the maritime sector.
Vago said during the conference that port infrastructure had been identified by CLIA as another key area where public finance investment is essential. Cruise lines have committed to use shoreside electricity (SSE), where offered by ports, and 66 percent of the global fleet will be equipped to connect to SSE by 2027. Only a handful of cruise berths provide SSE in European ports, while the EU goal is for all main ports in the continent to be equipped by 2030.
Laurent concluded that the industry efforts are key to its future in Europe, as the sector aims to become the most sustainable form of tourism, reducing emissions at sea and in ports, fully implementing the concept of circularity for waste.
For more information, visit www.cruising.org.
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