Cruise Lines International Association Chairman, Peter Little, says the cruise industry is urging LNG fuel suppliers to scale up production capacity to allow ships to put its compatible systems into real and actual use.
Speaking during the ‘Future of Cruise’ Panel at Travel24 last week, Little said the global response to the fuels of tomorrow at an acceptable scale is lagging, and cruise lines can’t use technology they have invested in.
“It’s not for a want of the drive of the cruise industry to improve [its] sustainability, it’s more around the availability of these fuels,” he said.
Little then turned his attention to shore power and the vast chasm that stands between those ships able to plug in, and the number of global ports offering shore power capability.
“Globally, 2% of ports have shore power capabilities, yet by 2028, 88% of cruise ships will be able to plug in,” Little said.
“These are hindrances to our ability to continue to meet the goals we’ve set as an industry for 2050, and we need to continue to collaborate with destinations, with governments, and within our industry to make sure that we’re on the right path to get us to 2050.”
Little’s comments were echoed by Australian Cruise Association Chief Executive Officer Jill Abel, who said it has taken many years to get governments at all levels to understand the value of cruise to the national economy.
Abel said the unavoidable reality of Australia’s geography and remoteness makes developing infrastructure such as shore power extremely expensive, which is a persistent challenge.
Speaking on the same panel, Silversea MD Adam Radwanski said conversations on shore power regulation need to be connected to expedition cruising, climate change and wildlife preservation to ensure more voices connected to these sectors take notice.
