Clia has pledged to reduce the rate of carbon emissions across the industry’s fleet of ships by 40% by 2030.
Arnold Donald, Clia’s global chairman and the chief executive of Carnival Corporation, said the industry body wanted a carbon-free shipping industry by the end of the century.
He said: “Today’s announcement is a tribute to cross-industry collaboration and a shared commitment to environmental sustainability.
“We aspire to the International Maritime Organisation’s vision of a carbon-free shipping industry by the end of the century.
“Our 40 per cent commitment is a strong first step toward realising that vision.”
Discussions with cruise lines had helped set the target and the progress towards to the 40% will be measured against a 2008 fleet baseline, a Clia statement said.
Clia said this is the first industry-wide initiative to reduce carbon emissions taken by cruise lines.
It is understood that as many as 25 LNG-powered ships could be operating by 2025.
LNG generates significantly fewer emissions than conventional marine fuels.
Clia cruise lines are also deploying advanced air quality systems that reduce ship exhaust by up to 98 per cent.
Cruise is the first maritime-related industry to make a joint carbon emissions commitment to sustainability on the seas.