While
cruise ships sail the world,
taking passengers to explore
new horizons, the cruise industry
remains very aware of its responsibility
to protect the environment in
which it operates.
North American
cruise lines have made the environment
a top priority, aggressively
working to minimize impact on
the ocean environment. Clean
and safe oceans are an essential
component for an enjoyable cruise
experience and the cruise lines
recognize the importance of
this relationship between their
business and the sustainability
of their operations.
“We know
that our success depends on
preserving and protecting the
environment,” says Bob
Sharak, executive director of
Cruise Lines International Association
(CLIA), a nonprofit organization
representing 24 cruise lines
in the North American market.
CLIA works closely
with the International Council
of Cruise Lines (ICCL), also
a nonprofit organization, to
communicate advances in such
areas as environmental concerns
and other joint initiatives.
While the cruise
industry operates under federal
and state pollution standards
as well as international environmental
standards set by the International
Maritime Organization (IMO),
it is common practice for cruise
lines to not only meet but also
exceed existing stringent standards,
says Michael Crye, president
of the ICCL.
In order to establish
and promote environmentally
sustainable operations, the
ICCL member lines have adopted
voluntary environmental practices
for all of their ships. ICCL
member lines have agreed to
utilize waste management practices
and procedures, which meet or
exceed the stringent standards
as set forth in international
treaties and applicable U.S.
laws.
“Although
the cruise industry comprises
only .2 percent of the world’s
merchant fleet, it is on the
leading edge in the development
of environmental technology
and management practices that
foster a healthy marine environment,”
says Crye.
The industry
maintains the highest standards,
including crew training and
passenger education programs,
extensive onboard systems, state-of-the-art
equipment, and other “green”
environmental practices.
Most cruise lines
have adopted aggressive programs
of waste minimization, waste
reuse and recycling, waste stream
management and shoreside waste
disposal. Lines have invested
in extensive onboard environmental
systems, such as advanced systems
for treating wastewater; new,
cleaner-burning engines; grinders
for food and product waste;
separators for galley products
and recycling; crushers for
glass, aluminum and cardboard
materials; incinerators for
food, cardboard, paper and other
waste by-products; and sophisticated
engine room equipment to reduce
or eliminate liquid discharge.
This effort is
ongoing, as numerous cruise
lines and shipbuilders work
to identify and implement new
technologies in order to continuously
improve the environmental performance
of cruise ships.
“The cruise
industry continues to be very
proactive in its efforts to
minimize all types of pollution
at sea,” says Sharak.
“It is a matter of taking
care of what amounts to ‘home’
for our ships and crews and
our passengers, while they are
with us.”
“The oceans
are our home, too,” says
Crye. “The cruise lines
are committed to minimizing
their environmental footprint.”
For more information
on cruise lines and the environment,
visit CLIA’s website at
www.cruising.org and ICCL’s
website at www.iccl.org.
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