Cruise lines are investing in new ships and engines that allow for “fuel flexibility”, according to a new industry report.
This includes the capability to use renewable biodiesel, the use of green methanol when available, and liquified natural gas (LNG).
But few ports offer the ability to access shore power.
Ships designed with engines and fuel supply systems able to operate on LNG will be able to switch to zero and near-zero fuels such as bio or synthetic LNG in the future, with no engine modifications, trade body Clia said.
There are 19 ships – representing 7% of the total fleet and 13% of global capacity – are using LNG for primary propulsion.
LNG has “virtually zero” sulphur emissions and particulate emissions, reduces NOx [nitric oxide] emissions by about 85% and achieves up to a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
The Clia report added: “Multiple reports confirm that methane slip (small amounts of escaped methane) – an acknowledged issue with LNG engines – is on a path to be nearly eradicated, with some industry stakeholders claiming that slip values of less than 1% is achievable within the next few years.”
Almost 150 ships represented by Clia have the ability to plug in to access shore power in port – 52% of the total number of ships and 61% of capacity. This is 23% more year-on-year and 167% more since 2018.
As many as 239 ships that are able to connect to onshore power supply are expected to be in service by 2028.
But only 35 ports worldwide – less than three per cent – have shore power capability, while 22 additional cruise ports are funded for onshore power supply infrastructure and 16 are planning to install the capability.
Major ports in Europe will be required to have shoreside power by 2030 as part of the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ decarbonisation regulations, which will further accelerate port infrastructure investment in the region.
Clia said it “champions the advancement of onshore power infrastructure as an important component in the industry’s work to reduce emissions and supports continued development of cost-effective infrastructure for clean shoreside electricity in cruise ports when the net impact delivers an overall emission reduction”.
Introducing the global cruise industry environmental technologies and practices report, Clia president and chief executive Kelly Craighead said: “Cruise lines are continuing to reduce their emissions at sea and at berth in pursuit of net zero emissions by 2050.
“This year’s environmental technologies report demonstrates their progress, with the industry investing in engine technologies with conversion capabilities that will allow ships to use more renewable energy sources as they become available and making important incremental steps to employ a range of other environmental technologies and practices to advance the industry’s wider sustainability initiatives.”
The Clia member ocean fleet includes 303 ships with a total capacity of 635,000 lower berths operated by 45 cruise line brands representing 90% of capacity — an increase of 3.6% and 3.34% respectively, compared to the previous year.
The majority of ocean-going ships operated by member cruise lines are small to mid-size ships, with ship size distribution showing:
- 35% are small ships (fewer than 1,000 lower berths)
- 38% are mid-size ships (1,000 to fewer than 3,000 lower berths)
- 26% are large ships (upwards of 3,000 lower berths)