Green Cruising? How the Industry is Becoming Sustainable by 2050

One major focus is the use of new propulsion types. More and more ships are equipped with engines that can use various fuels. Since 2018, the number of such vessels has increased from just one to 19. By the end of 2025, that number is expected to rise to 23. By 2036, the industry plans to operate 32 ships with dual-fuel propulsion, with the majority capable of running on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). This is an important step to replace heavy fuel oil, even if LNG is not completely emission-free.

Another significant investment is shore power. Currently, 166 ships, or 58 percent of the fleet, are equipped to shut down their engines in port and draw power from the land-based grid. This drastically reduces emissions in the port area. However, there is a challenge: worldwide, only 41 ports have the necessary infrastructure to provide shore power. The industry is growing faster in this area than the ports are.

Beyond engines, there are also positive developments. Currently, 82.4 percent of cruise ships are equipped with advanced wastewater treatment systems. This allows ships to treat their wastewater on board before discharging it into the sea. Another goal of the industry is to stop discharging untreated wastewater worldwide.

There are also innovations in waste management. On 128 ships, special systems are used to process food waste, which significantly reduces the amount of garbage. In addition, 98 percent of the fleet can produce most of their own freshwater, reducing dependence on scarce resources in ports.

The CLIA report clearly shows that the cruise industry is doing a lot to become more environmentally friendly. Cruise lines are investing billions in new, more sustainable ships and technologies. However, success also depends on how quickly the necessary land-based infrastructure, such as shore power connections in ports, is expanded. The path is still long, but the direction is right.