As global cruising returns amid surging demand, government support in
the form of the right regulatory frameworks and investments are needed
for the cruise industry to adopt sustainable maritime fuels and
technologies and achieve its goal of net-zero carbon cruising by 2050.
Such
was the message that cruise industry leaders agreed on at the Cruise
Lines International Association's (CLIA) recently concluded European
Summit in Genoa.
The summit took place as CLIA’s membership in the Sustainable Fuel
Alliance was confirmed. The alliance is focused on boosting production
and supply of renewable and low-carbon fuels in the aviation and
waterborne sectors and brings together organisations that share a vision
for the future value chain of sustainable fuels.
During the European Summit, senior leaders discussed the industry's
innovations and progress in its commitment towards decarbonisation, as
well as key challenges, including investments in sustainable marine
fuels supply and port infrastructure.
Delegates from cruise lines, shipyards, manufacturers, port operators
and fuel producers discussed technologies aimed at reducing vessels'
impact towards the environment, as well as solutions for alternative
fuels to deliver zero-emission cruising. The capacity to produce
renewable marine fuels at scale remains limited so the industry is
lobbying governments for incentives and support to help secure the
supply of future sustainable marine fuels.
Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman, MSC Cruises and global chair,
CLIA, said: “Clear support from decision makers is needed to ensure
that the right infrastructure is developed and is accessible, and that
the right incentives can guarantee the development and delivery of
sustainable maritime solutions.”
Vago added that CLIA had identified port infrastructure as a key area
for much-needed public investment. Cruise lines have committed to use
shoreside electricity (SSE), where offered by ports, and by 2027, 66% of
the global fleet will be equipped to connect to SSE. Only a few cruise
berths in European posts provide SSE, while the EU goal is for all main
ports in the continent to be SSE-equipped by 2030.
Marie-Caroline Laurent, CLIA’s director general in Europe, shared the
industry's vision "to become the most sustainable form of tourism,"
with reduced emissions both at sea and in port.