Cruising Is Getting Greener, According to CLIA’s New Sustainability Report

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) released its 2023 Global Cruise Industry Environmental Technologies and Practices Report, which shows how the industry is advancing sustainability initiatives that are making an impact. 

There are currently 44 new cruise ships on order for delivery within the next five years; of these, 25 will be powered by Liquid Natural Gas (LNG), a more sustainable form of marine fuel, while seven will be either methanol ready or methanol capable. 

Cruise lines are continuing to work on improving more eco-friendly technologies like fuel cells, multi-fuel engines, wind technology, photovoltaics and more. There are currently 32 pilot projects and initiatives with fuel flexibility and propulsion tech. 

"Cruise lines continue to transform the modern fleet to protect the oceans, air and destinations enjoyed by millions of passengers each year. Our data shows a step change in the uptake of new environmental technologies by our cruise line members,” said President and CEO of CLIA, Kelly Craighead. “Already today cruise lines are building the ships of the future which will run on new, more sustainable engine technologies. The introduction of these new technologies and the many pilot programs and trials in place reveal how the cruise industry is an innovator and early adopter of technologies that are helping us sail to a more sustainable future."

Sixty percent of CLIA-member ships are also tracking their efficiency, numbering 171. 

Cruise lines and cruise ships are also currently implementing greater sustainability programs, like shoreside electricity, which can reduce in-port emissions by up to 98 percent. 120 CLIA-member ships are currently equipped to use shoreside electricity, while the great majority of new ships have this capability as well. Seventy-two percent of ships are expected to have this capacity by 2028. 

There are currently 32 ports with at least one cruise berth with plug-in technology, which is less than 2 percent of the world’s ports. This number is growing. 

Cruising is also adapting advanced wastewater treatment systems, with a commitment not to discharge untreated sewage anywhere in the world. Seventy-seven percent of CLIA’s member fleet have advanced wastewater treatment systems. All new-builds will also be equipped with these systems.

CLIA member lines are also testing and using renewable fuels such as LNG, biofuels and synthetic carbon fuels as an effort to reduce direct emissions. Four ships currently use renewable biofuel, with another four on the way. Twenty-four ships in total are trialing biofuels, while two are trialing synthetic carbon fuels.

In addition, seven new builds are expected to run on zero carbon fuels, with some using green methanol and others using green hydrogen. 

Fifteen percent of new builds entering service in the next five years will also offer hybrid power generation abilities. 

The future of cruising is getting greener as more technologies are developed through the interest of partnerships with cruise lines. These innovations and advancements are part of CLIA's goal to reach net zero carbon cruising by 2050.

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