A new report from Transport and Environment (T&E), a European clean energy lobby group, highlights the dramatic increase in cruise ship size over the past two decades. According to the study, today’s largest passenger vessels are twice as large as those in 2000. This trend suggests that by 2050, the largest cruise ships could be nearly eight times larger than the Titanic, which was the largest passenger ship when it launched in 1912.
Environmental Concerns and Industry Growth
The report raises significant concerns about the environmental impact of the rapidly expanding global cruise industry. Inesa Ulichina, sustainable shipping officer at T&E, remarked, “Today’s cruisezillas make the Titanic look like a small fishing boat.” She expressed concern about the industry’s growth rate and its implications for emissions.
Industry Response and Emissions Data
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the largest cruise industry trade association, has contested several claims made in the report. CLIA argued that the size of most cruise ships remains small to mid-size and emphasized that emissions data from the EU’s MRV database shows a 16% reduction in emissions per ship over the past five years.
Increase in Cruise Ship Numbers
T&E’s report notes a dramatic increase in the number of cruise ships, which has grown twenty-fold from 21 in 1970 to 515 today. Notably, Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas, launched in 1999, was once the largest cruise ship with a gross tonnage of 137,276. However, this title has since been surpassed by the Icon of the Seas, which launched in January 2024 with a gross tonnage of 248,663 and features extensive amenities including seven swimming pools and a 17,000-square-foot water park.
Rising CO2 Emissions and Potential Solutions
The report also highlights that CO2 emissions from cruise ships in Europe were nearly 20% higher in 2022 compared to 2019. The International Maritime Organization estimates that maritime vessels, including cruise ships, are responsible for nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions each year. T&E suggests that implementing a tax on cruise tickets could generate significant revenue, estimating a potential 1.6 billion euros ($1.75 billion) globally.
CLIA’s Commitment to Sustainability
In response, CLIA asserts that the majority of cruise ships in operation and scheduled for the next decade are small- to mid-size and that the global fleet is becoming increasingly energy-efficient. The industry has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 through the adoption of more sustainable fuels and investing in advanced technologies.
Conclusion and Industry’s Future
As the cruise industry continues to expand, the debate over its environmental impact intensifies. While the industry works towards greater sustainability, the report underscores the need for ongoing scrutiny and innovation to address the environmental challenges posed by these increasingly massive vessels. CNN has reached out to Royal Caribbean Group for further comment on the report’s findings.