Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has created a long-term climate action strategy.
The aim is to reach carbon neutrality through reducing carbon intensity, identifying and investing in technology including exploring alternative fuels and implementing a voluntary carbon offset scheme.
The parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises has committed to offset three million metric tons of “carbon dioxide equivalent” over three years to help bridge the gap in its decarbonisation efforts until new technology becomes available.
Offset purchases are expected to ramp up in future years to reach the goal of carbon neutrality.
More: Norwegian Cruise Line adds extra US sailings this summer
NCL to deploy 10 ships worldwide this autumn
The company previously signed a commitment by sector body Clia to cut the carbon emissions rate industry-wide by 40% by 2030 from a 2008 baseline.
NCLH’s global sustainability programme to combat climate change is described as being a “material focus”.
The group claimed that ongoing investments in systems and technologies have resulted in a reduction of fuel consumption per capacity day of approximately 17% from 2008 to 2019 for the 28-ship fleet.
The company also achieved an estimated 14% reduction in CO2 emissions per capacity day across its fleet between 2015 and 2019.
This rate is expected to further decrease as nine new and more fuel-efficient vessels are introduced to the fleet by 2027.
NCLH has partnered with Clia and other maritime organisations to propose the establishment of a collaborative shipping research and development fund dedicated to the ultimate goal of eliminating CO2 emissions from international shipping.
Funding would come from a contribution per tonne of marine fuel purchased for consumption and is expected to amount to $5 billion over a decade.
Funds will be used to finance the development of zero and near-zero fuels and propulsion technologies.
The company said it will evaluate how these can accelerate its long-term carbon reduction strategy as new alternative fuel sources become available at sufficient scale in the future.
President and chief executive Frank del Rio said: “We take climate change very seriously and have proactively developed a long-term strategy with an ambitious goal of reaching carbon neutrality through three action areas including reducing carbon intensity, identifying and investing in technology and implementing a carbon offset program.
“Our commitment to purchase three million metric tons of carbon credits is a measurable step in near-term emissions reductions which allows us to take action today and helps bridge the gap in our decarbonisation efforts as we prepare for a lower-carbon future.
“Our global sustainability program, Sail & Sustain, is centred around our commitment to drive a positive impact on society and the environment and our long-term climate action strategy reinforces this commitment and aligns with the vision of the Paris Agreement to achieve a climate neutral world.”
More: Norwegian Cruise Line adds extra US sailings this summer