There are not many years until the International Maritime Organization’s 2030 checkpoint for greenhouse gas emissions. The aim is to reduce annual emissions from international shipping by 30 per cent by 2030 to ensure the sector remains on track to reach zero emissions by 2050.
To achieve this, the maritime industry is working hard to make improvements that reduce its impact on the environment. Cruise lines are investing in various solutions and initiatives, such as alternative fuels, eco-friendly technology, advanced wastewater treatment systems and equipping their ships with shore power capabilities. For example, MSC Cruises made 44 shore power connections at eight ports in 2023, but is aiming to increase this to 220 connections by the end of 2024. Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean Group is continuing to retrofit its ships with shore power capabilities, with 30 of them upgraded to date, and Carnival Corporation has now provided 64 per cent of its fleet with shore power capabilities, an increase from 57 per cent in 2022. Furthermore, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is currently on track to meet its goal of having 70 per cent of its fleet equipped with shore power technology, having already met its 2024 goal of 50 per cent.
To accommodate these ships, ports are making changes to their infrastructure too. The Port of Seattle in Washington, USA, for instance, is currently working towards electrifying its third and final berth so that it can provide shore power to all visiting cruise ships. Furthermore, PortMiami in Florida, USA, completed its Shore Power Program at the end of 2023, enabling it to offer shore power at five cruise terminals.
In the following pages, we highlight some of the other ports around the world that are making changes to improve not only their environmental sustainability, but the ecological impact of the ships that visit them too.
Port of Dover, UK
As part of the UK’s drive to reach net-zero shipping by 2050, the Port of Dover is rapidly progressing towards decarbonising the route across the English Channel, the world’s busiest maritime corridor. It has already reduced its carbon emissions by 96 per cent (as of 2023) since 2007 and is aiming to become the first UK port to be carbon net zero for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025, and Scope 3 emissions by 2030.
As an additional initiative to encourage green operations, the port also gives the Port of Dover SEA (Safety and Environment Awareness) Award to visiting cruise lines with the best recycling methods, waste segregation, carbon emissions and safety procedures.
Portsmouth International Portsmouth
Portsmouth International Port, UK
Portsmouth International Port aims to be carbon net neutral by 2030, and one of the UK’s first zero-emissions ports by 2050. Key to this bold ambition is Sea Change, a UK Government-funded, multi-user, multi-berth and multi-frequency shore power system, which will be a national first. The system will launch in 2025 and will enable customers to reduce emissions at berth and improve air quality for Portsmouth residents. Alongside this and other projects, the port also boasts a new terminal building which generates more energy than it consumes thanks to a modern solar and battery system.
Copenhagen, Denmark
In May 2024, construction of shore power facilities began at the Ocean Quay cruise pier in Copenhagen, Denmark. The project follows the completion of the previous shore power installation in Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest city, in 2023. The facility is expected to be operational by 2025 and fully functional by 2028, and it will be one of the largest shore power facilities in Europe. Copenhagen and Aarhus will benefit from cleaner air, and cruise lines and their passengers will be able to reduce their environmental impact when travelling to Denmark and the Baltic Sea.
Port of Le Havre, France
At the Port of Le Havre, the Pointe de Floride development project is continuing to progress. This summer, Le Havre Seine-Metropole began the construction of the three new cruise terminals, which will be able to host zero-emission port calls. The buildings will feature photovoltaic roofs and promote energy-efficient operations.
Haropa Port has also started work to implement shore power at the terminals. Quay Pierre Callet, Quay Roger Meunier and Quay Joannes Couvert are scheduled to be completed by February 2025, December 2025 and December 2026, respectively.
Canary Islands
Global Ports Holding is building sustainable cruise terminals in Las Palmas, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote Cruise Ports with the aim of increasing tourism and economic development in a sustainable way that maintains a minimal ecological footprint. The cruise terminals are being constructed with recycled and eco-friendly materials to minimise waste and preserve natural resources. Furthermore, they will feature functional designs that facilitate the use of solar energy and efficient waste management.
Tarragona Cruise Port, Spain
The new Tarragona Cruise Port terminal, operated by Global Ports Holding, was built with sustainability in mind. The 2,200-square-metre terminal was built using an industrialised modular construction approach, which cut waste during build by 50 per cent and carbon emissions by 60 per cent, with a further 30 per cent reduction in emissions expected during operation. This method also decreases water consumption and energy use for air conditioning. The terminal features 42 solar panels, LED lighting and advanced safety measures, ensuring eco-efficiency and passenger comfort. Additionally, the Port Authority of Tarragona is studying the implementation of shore power to further reduce emissions and promote green energy use.
Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal, Taiwan
Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal is Taiwan’s only sustainable green building designed with a full 3D curve d surface curtain wall. Its streamlined shape resembles a whale leaping out of the water and combines energy efficiency with natural ventilation and day light. It was designed to represent the sustainable and forward-thinking outlook of the cruise industry.
The design of the terminal has won the Taiwan government’s Public Construction Commission Golden Quality Award and recognition with a silver-class green building candidate certificate. It not only showcases the beauty of Taiwan’s architectural craftsmanship to the world but also highlights the country’s use of technology and pursuit of environmental sustainability.
Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, British Virgin Islands
Tortola Pier Park has joined the Green Globe certification programme as part of its dedication to environmental sustainability and responsible tourism. Green Globe is a certification programme for the travel and tourism industry that ensures adherence to high standards of economic, social and environmental sustainability. This membership marks the start of a journey towards continuous improvement and accountability in sustainable operations. Some of the initiatives that the port is undertaking includes, but is not limited to, the upcoming launch of the territory’s first public photovoltaic charging system for electric cars in support of its clean energy transition.
This article was first published in the Autumn/Winter 2024 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed. Subscribe for FREE to get the next issue delivered directly to your inbox.