CLIA calls on governments to make more efforts to enable the decarbonisation of the cruise industry

During the opening session it was highlighted that cruise lines are making remarkable investments in research and technology development projects innovative with the aim of improving their performance environmental, but it was also noted that the introduction in the market for new ships with reduced emissions represents only a part of the solution and the industry, to achieve its own objectives, will need to be able to access the provision of sustainable fuels and related infrastructure for their distribution.

In particular, it has been observed that currently the ability to produce large-scale marine fuels renewable is very limited and aimed mainly at other modes of transport, and therefore the cruises asks governments for adequate incentives and mechanisms to support to ensure that the maritime sector can be ensured the supply of future sustainable fuels.

"The cruise industry - explained Pierfrancesco Vago, global chairma of CLIA and executive chairman of MSC Cruises - shares with European governments the vision of an economy sustainable blue. The industry is evolving and can maintain the promises. It is necessary - vago specified - a clear support from decision makers to ensure that it is developed and made accessible the right infrastructure and that right incentives can ensure the development and delivery of solutions sustainable maritime'. "Now - he added Marie-Caroline Laurent, Managing Director of CLIA Europe - is it is essential for us to have a clear legislative framework in order to encourage the investment and innovation that will be needed to the sector to achieve the objectives of the "Fit" by 2030 for 55" of the EU, and ultimately, our ambitions for the 2050».

Vago also called for attention to be paid to the port infrastructure, which CLIA considers to be another sector important for the decarbonization of shipping and which requires public investment. Remembering that cruise lines are are committed to ensuring that their ships can be connected to the shore power grid while stopping in ports in order to shut down on-board engines and reduce emissions, with the aim of ensuring that 66% of the world's cruise ship fleet can do so by 2027, Vago has highlighted that currently in European ports only a handful of docks can provide power shore electricity to ships, while the goal of the European Union is that by 2030 all major ports on the continent are equipped to that effect.