Cruise industry leaders met on Wednesday (June 15) at Clia’s first European Summit devoted to the decarbonisation of cruise, calling on governments to provide the support and investments needed to achieve net-zero carbon cruising by 2050.

The bosses met in Genoa and stressed the importance of governments creating the right regulatory framework and investments to match the industry’s commitment to sustainable maritime fuels and technologies. While cruise lines are investing in research projects and technologies to improve their environmental performance, they highlighted the need for “adequate infrastructure”.

During opening remarks at the summit, Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman, for MSC Cruises and Clia’s global chair, said: “The cruise industry shares a vision with European governments of a sustainable blue economy. The industry is stepping up and can deliver on our promises. 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.”

Marie-Caroline Laurent, Clia’s director general in Europe, said the industry has taken “firm and robust measures towards achieving its decarbonisation goals”, and said it was “essential” to have a clear legislative framework to encourage the investment and innovation needed to achieve its goals.  

A panel of cruise lines, shipyards, manufacturers, port operators and fuel producers met to discuss potential alternative fuels and technologies on the horizon to deliver zero-emission cruising. 

Clia said the capacity to produce renewable marine fuels at scale “remains very limited, with more focus on other transport modes”. The industry is calling for “adequate incentives and support mechanisms from governments” to secure the supply of sustainable fuels.

Vago said that port infrastructure was another area where public finance is needed. Cruise lines have committed to use shoreside electricity (SSE), where offered by ports, and 66% of the global fleet will be equipped to connect to SSE by 2027. 

Only a handful of cruise berths provide SSE in European ports, while the European Union goal is for all main ports in the continent to be equipped by 2030.

More Clia news: In June Clia UK & Ireland managing director Andy Harmer received an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to the maritime sector.