CLIA reveals key advances toward a more sustainable and efficient cruise industry
The 2025 Environmental Technologies and Practices Annual Report highlights the growing adoption of alternative fuels, improvements in operational efficiency, advanced wastewater treatment systems, and new investments that shape the fleet of the future
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which represents more than 90% of the global cruise industry, released its 2025 Technologies and Environmental Practices (TEA) Annual Report, which reflects measurable progress in sustainability between 2018 and 2024. The document underscores the companies' commitment to decarbonization, energy efficiency, and the adoption of technological innovations.
According to CLIA President and CEO Bud Darr, the cruise industry is investing billions of dollars in building the fleet of the future, with more than 80 ships on order that integrate new environmental solutions such as dual-fuel engines, advanced wastewater systems, shore power connectivity, and air lubrication technologies.
Among the report's highlights is the growth in multi-fuel vessel ownership, which increased from one in 2018 to 19 currently, with a forecast of reaching 23 by the end of 2025. Furthermore, the capacity to connect to shore power (OPS) has doubled since 2018, reaching 166 vessels, representing 58% of the fleet.
In terms of emissions reduction, the number of cruise ships equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems increased from seven in 2018 to 81 in 2025, enabling compliance with the most stringent IMO standards. Regarding wastewater treatment, 82% of the fleet has advanced systems that exceed international requirements, and more than a third meet the strictest Baltic Sea standards.
The report also highlights that 98% of ships produce most of their water consumption on board, reducing extraction in resource-limited destinations. Waste management systems have also evolved, with eight ships now using waste gasification to generate energy and 128 equipped with microbial digesters to reduce food waste.
With an order book extending through 2036, the cruise industry is moving toward a cleaner, more efficient model, adopting technologies that not only transform its own sector but also drive innovation across the entire maritime industry.
Source: CLIA.