16 energy management systems – which has reduced annual shipboard energy demand by more than 535,000 megawatt hours since 2019. Over 40 ships use Azipod propulsion systems to cut fuel consumption by up to 10 per cent, while 13 vessels use air lubrication systems to decrease propulsion energy needs by around five per cent. Smart itinerary planning, weather routing and voyage optimisation tools further minimise fuel use. “We’re by far and away the tip of the spear when it comes to reducing energy consumption – it’s been our primary focus for more than 20 years,” says Weinstein. At the same time, Carnival Corporation is adopting low-carbon solutions to reduce GHG emissions. One is LNG fuel, which Weinstein says the corporation committed to in 2012, long before any infrastructure had been built. In 2018, it debuted the world’s first fully LNG-powered cruise ship and 11 of its 96 ships – almost 21 per cent of the fleet capacity – now operate using the fuel. Seven more LNG-powered newbuilds are set to join the fleet by 2033 and are expected to deliver more than 20 per cent greater efficiency per passenger than current ships. “We’ve long advocated for the use of LNG as a transitional fuel – it’s the lowestemission option we can feasibly use at scale today,” says Weinstein. “We’ll move to bio-LNG and e-LNG fuels as they become widely available, and we’re trialling biofuels on some AIDA Cruises, Holland America Line and Costa Cruises ships. AIDA Cruises is also testing hydrogen-powered fuel cells and battery technology – these technologies are helping us to save energy but our ships are so big that batteries can only ever be part of a wider solution.” In addition, Carnival Corporation has expanded shore power capabilities to 74 per cent of its fleet, with these ships connecting to local electric grids during approximately 1,460 port calls in 2025. “We’ve been at the forefront of shore power since our Princess Cruises brand became the first cruise line to connect to a hydroelectric shore power system in Juneau, Alaska, in 2001,” says Weinstein. “We’ll continue to connect wherever possible in ports worldwide and expand shore power capabilities to 80 per cent of the fleet by 2030.” Carnival Corporation’s extensive efforts are paying dividends. Not only are they helping the organisation to move closer towards its PROPEL targets, but they’re also enabling it to regularly surpass its GHG emissions intensity and other environmental aims. In 2021, Carnival Corporation declared it would reduce GHG emissions intensity by 20 per cent by 2030, relative to its 2019 baseline. The organisation hit this benchmark in 2025, five years ahead of schedule, helped largely by retiring 27 older ships and introducing a new generation of more energy-efficient vessels. “Reaching our 2030 goal five years early is a significant milestone that reflects years of disciplined investment and innovation across our global fleet,” says Weinstein. “It’s even more impressive when you consider the fleet is also over 10 per cent bigger than it was in 2019 – and we’re using over 12 per cent less fuel than we were in 2019, which we expect will save roughly $650 million in 2026 alone. Since 2008, we have decreased GHG intensity by 44 per cent, almost halving per-guest emissions.” Carnival Corporation raised the stakes again in 2026, committing to cut emissions intensity by 25 per cent by 2029 versus its 2019 baseline. “We want to continue improving every part of the equation to lower emissions even further over time,” says Weinstein. He explains that partnerships with key stakeholders across the maritime and other industries will continue to be pivotal in helping the organisation decarbonise. KEYNOTE Photo: Holland America Line Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras is one of the 11 LNG-powered ships currently sailing in the corporation’s global fleet Photo: Carnival Corporation
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