From investing in alternative power and energy sources to reducing food waste and reimagining recycling, the cruise industry is working hard to become more sustainable. Many of these changes come in conjunction with the industry’s goal to pursue net-zero cruising, something the Cruise Lines International Association has pledged to achieve by 2050. As popular brands continue to make moves in the right direction, let’s take a look at some recent green initiatives worthy of celebration.
Carnival Cruise Line
Over the last several years, Carnival Cruise Line has taken big steps by way of sustainability. According to a 2023 Earth Day press release from the brand, some of Carnival’s most recent achievements include fleetwide around-the-clock recycling operations allowing the company to process 11 million pounds of recyclables in 2022; a “food digester initiative’ helping the cruise line to reduce food waste by 35% fleetwide; and the use of Liquefied Natural Gas for its newest ships supporting Carnival’s efforts toward decarbonization.
“A sustainable future is everyone’s responsibility,” said Richard Pruitt, vice president of environmental operations for Carnival Cruise Line in an April 2023 press release discussing the brand’s environmental initiatives. “Our guests play a big part in this, and they respond to it very well because when it comes time for their next cruise vacation, they know they can go back and enjoy the destinations they love along with their children and future generations.”
Holland America Line
Thinking outside the box when it comes to sustainability is Holland America Line, which, over the last several years has partnered with Dansk Wilton, a Danish textile manufacturer, to reimagine an unexpected element of its fleets’ interiors: the carpets. Together, the duo worked to create Origin, an undyed, completely recyclable carpet crafted from natural wool. The innovative flooring made its first appearance in 2022 on the Rotterdam when it was installed in the ship’s staterooms.
Since then, the companies have continued their partnership, working in tandem to brainstorm imaginative ways to upcycle carpets in the form of eco-friendly signage, furnishings and more.
Hurtigruten Norway
In the summer of 2023, Hurtigruten Norway revealed plans for its first zero-emission ship under the project name “Sea Zero.” While many of the details remain under wraps, the brand shared early concept plans for the ship, which would be the world’s most energy-efficient, alongside its 12 maritime partners and SINTEF, a leading research institute. The company expects the new class of ships to be ready by 2030 and aims to transform its entire fleet using zero-emission technology.
“While we initially announced the ‘Sea Zero’ project over a year ago, we were faced with the challenge of not knowing which technologies would be available to us in 2030,” said Hedda Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten Norway. “Our task was to pave the way for new innovations and enhance existing ones to align with our sustainability objectives. While some of these technologies have reached a relatively advanced stage, they still necessitate dedicated research and development to ensure successful implementation within the maritime context. On the other hand, certain technologies are still in early development and require fundamental research and thorough testing. Following a rigorous feasibility study, we have pinpointed the most promising technologies for our groundbreaking future cruise ships. We are committed to delivering a ship that surpasses all others in terms of energy efficiency and sustainability within just a few years.”
MSC Cruises
In December 2023, MSC Cruises’ MSC World Europa successfully connected to shore power for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea. The history-making event took place in the port of Valetta, Malta after a series of tests in the destination throughout the year. Valletta is now home to the first operational shore power facility in the region, and MSC World Europa will regularly connect there during its weekly sailings in 2024 and 2025. In a press release sharing the news, MSC Cruises noted that shore power is a vital part of the brand’s journey toward net zero greenhouse gas emission operations by 2050 as it removes the need to keep a ship’s engine running, eliminating direct emissions from the vessel while connected in port.
"Our shore power plan demonstrates that we are fully committed to reducing emissions from our ships. Using shore power is a major step forward because it allows us to eliminate a ship’s direct emissions whilst berthed,” said Michele Francioni, senior vice president of cost optimization and process improvement for MSC Cruises. “We need more ports across Europe and beyond to introduce shore power as quickly as possible so that we can further reduce local air emissions. We will ensure our ships are ready to connect wherever the facilities are available to us. Connecting MSC World Europa to the shore power in Valletta is a proud achievement and we are grateful for the collaboration and excellent cooperation with Transport Malta, Infrastructure Malta and the Maltese authorities, as well as with the Cruise Port of Valetta.”
Royal Caribbean International
In the fall of 2023, Royal Caribbean Group made headlines as Symphony of the Seas became the first ship in the maritime industry to successfully test and use a biofuel blend in Barcelona, Spain to meet part of its fuel needs. The brand went on to confirm that while using the biofuel blend, onboard technical systems met operational standards without raising quality or safety concerns, proving the resource is a trusted “drop-in” supply of lower-emission energy. Royal Caribbean Group’s success came after 12 weeks of biofuel testing in Europe as the brand worked to abide by its SEA the Future commitment to “sustaining the planet, energizing communities and accelerating innovation,” according to the cruise line.
“This is a pivotal moment for Royal Caribbean Group’s alternative fuel journey,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “Following our successful trial of biofuels this summer, we are one step closer to bringing our vision for net-zero cruising to life. As we strive to protect and promote the vibrant oceans we sail, we are determined to accelerate innovation and improve how we deliver vacation experiences responsibly.”
About the Author
comments