26 Cruise industry commitment to sustainability Newbuilds and retrofitting programmes in the cruise sector are enhancing the sustainability of the industry through an impressive array of innovations. These advances are mainly felt below decks and back of house, from cleaner fuels and more efficient propulsion to wastewater treatments and hull modifications. But while the emphasis continues to be in the engine room, meaningful progress is being made elsewhere, including interiors. According to CLIA, the organisation’s member cruise lines and shipping industry partners around the world “have demonstrated a commitment to the development and implementation of environmentally responsible technologies, policies, and practices.”1 CLIA says that, despite comprising less than 1 per cent of the global shipping fleet, the industry has led in developing responsible environmental practices and innovative technologies in its newbuilds. This includes the introduction of LNG-propelled vessels. Implementation of CLIA’s Environmental Policy is a condition of the organisation’s membership. CLIA members also often exceed the regulatory structures set by IMO, in particular its International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). The 2021 Environmental Technologies and Practices (ETP) inventory conducted by CLIA covers 242 oceangoing ships representing 96.7 per cent of existing CLIA passenger capacity as well as build specifications for 62 ships currently on order. Two significant trends are for new ships being built to more sustainable specifications and retrofitting of existing ships to replace and improve existing technologies. To date, much of the information available from cruise operators regarding their sustainability commitments focuses primarily on the operations side of their business, with the emphasis on CLIA’s list of the primary areas for improvements (air emissions, wastewater, recycling, carbon reduction and fuels of the future).2 However, investments in sustainable materials, methods and priorities in these aspects of ship construction often have spillover effects in the interiors and other public-facing side of the ships. At the very least, companies’ sustainability statements provide a demonstration of intent in regard to the topic and are a good indication of corporate support for sustainability improvement across their operations, including interiors. 1 Oxford Economics and CLIA environmental report 2 CLIA, environmental technologies table COMMI TMENT
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