Governments need to actively back revised global efforts to support sustainable cruise ship operations.
The call from the World Travel & Tourism Council came in response to the UN International Maritime Organisation adopting a strategy to cut emissions from ships, with enhanced targets to tackle harmful emissions.
The initiative includes an enhanced common ambition to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping “close to 2050”, a commitment to ensure an uptake of alternative zero and near-zero greenhouse gas fuels by 2030, as well as “indicative check-points” for 2030 and 2040.
The IMO is the UN’s specialised agency with responsibility for developing global standards for shipping and supporting countries to implement those rules.
Secretary-general Kitack Lim said: “The adoption of the 2023 IMO greenhouse gas strategy is a monumental development for IMO and opens a new chapter towards maritime decarbonisation.
“At the same time, it is not the end goal, it is in many ways a starting point for the work that needs to intensify even more over the years and decades ahead of us.
“However, with the revised strategy we have a clear direction, a common vision, and ambitious targets to guide us to deliver what the world expects from us.”
WTTC president and chief executive Julia Simpson described the reduction strategy as a “crucial milestone for the cruise industry and our planet”.
She said: “We urge governments to actively support sustainable marine fuels, shoreside power, and other net-zero technologies in all shipping sectors.
“Collaboration between governments and the industry is vital to achieve net-zero emissions.
“Sustainable growth in travel and tourism, including aviation, rail, and cruise liners, remains a key objective for the sector worldwide.”