Industry chiefs met on Wednesday (15 June) in Genoa at Clia’s first European Summit on the decarbonisation of cruising to discuss how closer partnerships and enhanced infrastructure can help achieve net-zero carbon cruising by 2050.

Lines said they were “investing significantly” in research projects and new technologies aimed at improving environmental performance, although stressed the industry needed greater investment to reach its goals.

In his keynote address, Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises executive chairman and global chair of Clia, 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.” 

Clia’s European director general, Marie-Caroline Laurent, said it was “essential” the industry was given “clear legislative framework” to encourage investment and innovation to help it achieve its sustainability ambitions. 

During the summit, cruise lines, shipyards, manufacturers, port operators and fuel producers met to discuss potential alternative fuels and technologies to deliver zero-emission cruising. 

Currently, the capacity to produce renewable marine fuels at scale remains very limited, with more focus on other transport modes and Clia said the industry was calling for “adequate incentives and support mechanisms” from European leaders to secure future supplies of sustainable fuels the maritime sector.

Vago added how port infrastructure was another area where public finance investment is essential – with lines having committed to use shoreside electricity, where offered by ports, and would have 66% of global cruise fleet equipped to connect to shoreside electricity by 2027.

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