CLIA releases environmental report
CRUISE Lines International Association (CLIA) has today released a new Oxford Economics report highlighting the progress CLIA ocean cruise line members are continuing to make towards environmental goals.
The Global Cruise Industry Environmental Technologies and Practices Report covers ongoing work by cruise operators towards the development and implementation of advanced technologies and practices to achieve lower emissions, greater efficiencies and a cleaner environment on board, at sea and in port, CLIA said.
“While cruise ships comprise far less than 1% of the global maritime community, the latest report substantiates how cruise lines have taken a leadership role in the adoption of maritime technologies to benefit the entire shipping industry,” the report highlights.
In particular, the cruise industry has invested over US$23.5 billion in ships with new technologies and cleaner fuels to reduce air emissions and achieve greater efficiency - a year-on-year increase of US$1.5 billion.
“Even as we have worked to address and overcome the impacts of COVID-19, the cruise industry remains committed to a cleaner, more sustainable future,” said CLIA Chief Executive Officer Kelly Craighead.
“With over $23 billion invested in ships with new technologies and cleaner fuels, such as exhaust gas cleaning systems and liquefied natural gas, I can only imagine what we will accomplish together in the next ten years and beyond,” Craighead said.
“This report affirms our commitment to environmental sustainability and I commend our members for their continued leadership and demonstration of the highest standards of responsible tourism.”
Other initiatives highlighted include advanced wastewater treatment systems and the expansion of shoreside power capability, with the ongoing progress in multiple areas confirming CLIA’s view it is “integral, urgent and feasible to balance fostering growth with policy and technology changes that help preserve the air and oceans in which the industry operates”.
Ongoing investments include a maritime sector-wide US$5 billion plan for R&D Board dedicated to identifying technologies and energy sources to help lessen environmental footprints and meet International Maritime Organization goals.
See the report at cruising.org.