Cruise industry seas green

EXACTLY a year ago, ACA, CLIA and NZCA released the first Cruise Industry Sustainability Guide showcasing the work being done by the industry to preserve the world’s pristine waterways.

It is great to see this work continuing with several cruise lines announcing new initiatives in the last few weeks that support the industry’s goal to do as much as possible to protect the oceans which deliver our livelihood. Earlier this month, expedition ship Greg Mortimer was launched featuring new engine equipment which will deliver an 80% reduction in emissions, with the vessel also boasting anchorless tech, reduced light pollution and low on-board plastic usage, all creating a lighter footprint as it cruises the Antarctic. Poles apart - an announcement was made by the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators that they had introduced mandatory guidelines around the carriage of heavy fuel oil in the Arctic - the next step toward phasing out highly polluting oil. And from expedition ships to larger cruise lines came the announcement from MSC Cruises - as they launched their environmentally advanced MSC Grandiosa - that they will be carbon neutral by 2020.

The first phase of this initiative will be via carbon offsetting focusing on “blue” carbon credits where the money goes to marine focused sustainability efforts.

These are just a few examples of how the cruise industry is honouring its commitment to a sustainable future and taking a lead with these important initiatives.