With tons of fuel and accommodations for thousands of people, a cruise ship is a massive machine that potentially produces a great deal of waste, noise, and pollution. However, for the last few decades, the pleasure cruise industry has made great strides in reducing the impact that its ships have on the ocean environment. In recognition of these efforts, the world’s leading coalition of cruise lines recently received a top industry award.
At a dinner and ceremony in Washington, D.C., on October 29, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) was recognized with this year’s Marine Environment Protection Association Award. The award is one of the top honors handed out by the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) to global leaders involved in ocean environmentalism.
CLIA, which is the cruise industry’s largest trade association in the world, represents cruise lines and travel agents on five continents. For many years, members of CLIA – including top Royal Holiday affiliated cruise lines such as Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line – have worked in close cooperation with the International Maritime Organization to develop innovative technologies and practices to reduce the cruise industry’s impact on the marine environment.
CLIA has spearheaded a number of procedures and policies to reduce the negative environmental impact of cruising. They include:
– Limiting the amount of garbage produced on board each ship in order to reduce cruise ships’ impact on landfills at ports of call.
– Minimizing wastewater discharge whenever possible.
– Building ships with energy-saving LED lighting, hull coatings, kitchen appliances, and other cutting-edge technologies.
– Collecting cooking oil from galleys so that it can be converted into bio-diesel fuel at onshore facilities.
– Retaining paper waste and other materials for use in passengers’ crafts projects.
Owing to these initiatives and many others like them, today’s huge cruise ships are “greener” than ever before. For this reason, cruisers can be confident that their favorite choice of vacation is not only fun and relaxing, but also environmentally responsible.
