Cruise industry leaders have called for government support to accelerate the development of sustainable maritime fuels and technologies necessary to achieve net-zero carbon cruising by 2050.
Their message came at the Cruise Lines International Association (Clia) European Summit held today in Genoa – the sector’s first European Summit devoted to decarbonisation of cruise.
Cruise lines says they are investing “significantly” in research projects and new technologies aimed at improving their environmental performance.
However, they say they need access to “adequate infrastructure and supply of sustainable fuels” to achieve their objectives.
Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises and global chair of Clia, said: “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 director-general in Europe, added: “The cruise industry has already taken firm and robust measures towards achieving its decarbonisation goals and, collectively, is committed to deliver.
“The cruise industry is powering European maritime industry innovation and is critical to help the EU to deliver the necessary step change towards decarbonisation.
“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 to deliver zero-emission cruising.
Vago said port infrastructure had been identified by Clia as another very important area where public finance investment is essential.
Cruise lines have committed to use shoreside electricity (SSE), where offered by ports, and 66% 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 European Union goal is for all main ports in the continent to be equipped by 2030.