With just five years left to reach the International Maritime Organization’s 2030 target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the global maritime industry by 20 per cent, and the 2050 target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions looming, projects to retrofit decarbonisation technologies on passenger ships are on the rise.
There has also been a shift in consumer consciousness surrounding travel-related carbon emissions, which is why cruise and ferry operators are spending millions equipping their fleets with the latest energy-saving and carbon reduction technologies.
These projects include installing equipment such as shore power capability, energy storage and advanced wastewater treatment systems, as well as integrating renewable energy sources (such as solar panels) onboard. Shipowners are also converting engines to run on alternative fuels, including renewable biodiesel, LNG and green methanol, and coating hulls with anti-fouling paints to reduce drag as ships sail through the water. Drydock projects of this kind are certain to increase in number as the evidence to support the effectiveness of decarbonisation technologies grows.
However, these aren’t the only types of upgrade projects taking place at shipyards across the globe. Cruise and ferry brands are also carrying out regular maintenance and refurbishment work on their existing vessels to ensure they offer the same brand standards and high-quality experiences as their newer ships.
With much to do to decarbonise and modernise the existing fleet of ships, repair and refurbishment shipyards around the globe have, so far, had a busy 2025.
Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven, Germany
Ambassador Cruise Line’s Renaissance spent a month in drydock in early 2025 where it was rebranded from former operator Compagnie Française de Croisières, as part of the company’s merger with Ambassador(which has formed the Ambassador Group). The ship also received a number of modernisations, including the retrofitting of a selective catalytic reactor exhaust gas treatment system for emission reduction. The team also used ultra-high-pressure washing to remove damaged areas on the underwater hull before applying a silicone coating on the propellers. Preparations were also made for the installation of a shore power system.
BLRT Grupp Western Shiprepair, Klaipeda, Lithuania
Work has begun to convert the first of two Scandlines ferries to plug-in hybrid vessels. The Danish ferry operator is investing over €31 million ($36.3 million) to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80 per cent on the Puttgarden-Rødby route in the Baltic Sea. Western Shiprepair will install five-megawatt battery systems and charging facilities on each ferry. The second conversion is scheduled for December 2025, with the project set for completion in early 2026.
Fincantieri, Trieste, Italy
Three Finnlines ro-pax vessels – sister ships Finnstar, Finnlady and Finnmaid – received numerous upgrades during a drydock in spring 2025. The refurbishment focused on enhancing the cafe and lounge areas with new seating, carpets and colour palette. The team also upgraded the exterior deck on the vessels, which operate on the route between Helsinki, Finland, and Travemünde, Germany.
Three Finnlines ferries were upgraded with new cafes at the Fincantieri shipyard Trieste
A&P Falmouth, UK
Saga Cruises’ vessel Spirit of Discovery drydocked at A&P Falmouth in June 2025, following a successful project onboard sister ship Spirit of Adventure in 2024. The two-week drydock was for scheduled maintenance, including hull painting to increase fuel efficiency, as well as a five-year overhaul of the vessel’s two propulsion pods and the bow thrusters. All the ship’s lifeboats and tenders were also serviced and repaired as necessary.
Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Discovery underwent general maintenance at A&P Falmouth
Navantia, Cadiz, Spain
Navantia has refurbishment and repair projects for 13 cruise vessels on its books for 2025, six of which have already been completed. This includes Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Miracle and Carnival Valor, and Royal Caribbean International’s Freedom of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.
The 15-year-old Allure of the Seas underwent a $100 million renovation as part of the cruise line’s Royal Amplified programme and now includes many of the standout features found onboard Royal Caribbean’s newbuild vessels, Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas. On decks five to 17 a team of 150 Bolidt technicians carried out resurfacing of the 4,000-square-metre pool deck using Bolideck Future Teak. The team also refurbished the ship’s 1,950-metre jogging track, sun deck, and 115 balconies, as well as installing soundproofing for a new 800-square-metre extension to the solarium on deck 15.
Meanwhile ship design and engineering company Foreship supported the installation of Ultimate Abyss, a 10-storey dry slide at the aft of the vessel. The company also designed a new steel structure in the forward part of the ship to accommodate additional cabins.
In April 2025, Royal Caribbean International strengthened its relationship with Navantia by signing a strategic framework agreement for future ship modernisation and revitalisation projects. The partnership dates back to 2012 when the Spanish shipyard successfully revitalised two Royal Caribbean ships in Cádiz; since then, Navantia has modernised 45 of the cruise operator’s vessels.
Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas in drydock at the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz
Astilleros de Santander, Spain
HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) cruise shipSpitsbergen spent February and March 2025 in drydock as part of the expedition cruise line’s €7 million ($8.2 million) renovation programme, which also included sister ship Fram. The latter was refurbished in April 2025 at Astibal Shipyard in Panama.
The ship’s newly built science centre, located on deck six, features interactive screens, flexible lecture space, a small library and dedicated workstations for citizen science activities. The space is also equipped with interpreter systems for multi-language talks to ensure accessibility for international guests.
The project onboard the 150-guest ship also included updated guest spaces and refreshed exteriors with the brand’s indigo blue and sand livery, while crew areas, including cabin bathrooms and dining facilities, were also refurbished.
HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions)
The new science centre onboard HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) cruise ship Spitsbergen
Grand Bahama Shipyard, Freeport, The Bahamas
In April 2025, Holland America Line’s Oosterdam received several upgrades and enhancements during its two-week drydock at Grand Bahama Shipyard. Technical and interior design upgrades were made to several public areas, which also received new furniture. A new Effy jewellery retail space was created, and the ship’s casino was expanded. More than 20,000 square metres of new carpet were installed in all suites, veranda staterooms and public areas, including the atrium, photo gallery and studio, Rolling Stone Lounge, and Greenhouse Spa & Salon. The Rolling Stone Lounge now features an enhanced bar and new carpet, furnishings, LED lighting and flooring. Selected cabin bathrooms were also fully renovated, while the Sea View and Lido pools received fresh teak decking.
Holland America Line’s Oosterdam spent time in drydock at Grand Bahama Shipyard
Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam, Netherlands
At the end of April 2025, Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam replaced a 92-ton engine block on Princess Cruises’ 330-metre Regal Princess – a process that is rarely done more than once a decade. The job began mid-voyage, with components stripped while 3,000 guests were still onboard. To extract the engine, parts of the hull and bulkhead were removed, then the block was slid out using skidding beams and a crane. Despite the short lead time and tight drydocking window, the project was completed safely and on schedule by the Damen team.
Fincantieri, Palermo, Italy
During a two-week drydock Princess Cruises’ ship Majestic Princess was outfitted with numerous venues including O’Malley’s Irish Pub, Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, Alfredo’s Slice, Salty Dog Cafe, Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar, and Bellini’s. The ship’s shopping venues were also rebranded.
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