WTTC urges governments to support United Nations’ revised strategy for sustainable Cruise Shipping

July 13, 2023

Karen Sweaney

The World Travel and Tourism Council has welcomed the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) adoption to revise its strategy to to achieve net-zero emissions from international shipping by 2050 - a crucial milestone for the cruise industry and our planet.

WTTC urge governments to actively support sustainable marine fuels, shoreside power, and other net-zero technologies in all shipping sectors. Collaboration between governments and the industry is vital to achieve net-zero emissions.

Sustainable growth in Travel & Tourism, including aviation, rail, and cruise liners, remains a key objective for the sector worldwide.

Member States of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), meeting at the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80), have adopted the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, with enhanced targets to tackle harmful emissions.

In 2021, Australian adventure cruise company, Aurora Expeditions was certified 100% Carbon Neutral. Achieved in partnership with emission reductions project developer South Pole, the cruise line achieved this milestone by a combination of sustainability initiatives.

Aurora Expeditions compensates for their greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing carbon credits from climate action projects such as InfraVest Tongyuan Wind Farm, a renewable energy project in Taiwan. In addition to this, the cruise line supports such conservation projects as Sandy Conservation, a South Australian partnership between the traditional Ngarrindjeri landowners and non-Indigenous Australians.

Ocean-going member cruise lines of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the largest cruise industry trade association, have committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and to reducing carbon rates by 40% by 2030 (as compared to 2008 levels).

CLIA reports that more than 15% of cruise ships debuting in the next five years will be equipped to incorporate hydrogen fuel cells or electric batteries.

Another promising sustainability development is the industry’s move toward zero-emissions docking. The vast majority of today’s new ships are being designed with capabilities to power off their fuel-burning engines and plug into the local grid while in port – reducing air pollution and related health issues in the process. The caveat: Only 29 of the 1,500-odd ports visited by CLIA ships presently offer compatible infrastructure.

Explora Journeys' new luxury cruise brand from Swiss-based shipping company MSC Group launches this summer, but will really make waves in 2027 when it debuts the world’s first LNG-powered vessel to feature hydrogen fuel cells, along with methane slip-reducing technology.

In partnership with Italian shipbuilders Fincantieri, Explora Journeys’ pioneering ships (the first that of two that are planned for the fledgling line) will have significantly reduced greenhouse emissions while at sea and emit little more than water vapor and heat when idle in port.

Other highlights for the brand include a single-use plastics ban and underwater noise reduction certification (as not to disturb marine wildlife).

The revised IMO GHG Strategy includes an enhanced common ambition to reach net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping close to 2050, a commitment to ensure an uptake of alternative zero and near-zero GHG fuels by 2030, as well as indicative check-points for 2030 and 2040.

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim shared "The adoption of the 2023 IMO Greenhouse Gas Strategy is a monumental development for IMO and opens a new chapter towards maritime decarbonization. At the same time, it is not the end goal, it is in many ways a starting point for the work that needs to intensify even more over the years and decades ahead of us. However, with the Revised Strategy that you have now agreed on, we have a clear direction, a common vision, and ambitious targets to guide us to deliver what the world expects from us.

"Above all, it is particularly meaningful, to have unanimous support from all Member States. In this regard, I believe that we have to pay more attention to support developing countries, in particular SIDS and LDCs, so that no one is left behind.”

IMO is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for developing global standards for shipping and supporting countries to implement those rules.

Elements of the Strategy are outlined here

Image top: Credit: Aurora Expeditions; Image above. Member States of IMO, meeting at the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80), adopted the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships.Credit: IMO

About the author

Karen Sweaney

Co-founder and Editor, Australasian Leisure Management

Artist, geoscientist and specialist writer on the leisure industry, Karen Sweaney is Editor and co-founder of Australasian Leisure Management.

Based in Sydney, Australia, her specific areas of interest include the arts, entertainment, the environment, fitness, tourism and wellness.

She has degrees in Fine Arts from the University of Sydney and Geological Oceanography from UNSW.

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