The Cruise Industry's Commitment to the Environment

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)policies demonstrate the industry's full commitment to protecting the natural environment in which we operate and we have a strong record of developing soundand socially responsible environmental best practices and policies for our members to implement.

Committed to Employing the Best Environmental Practices and Policies

• Comprehensive international, federal and state environmental regulations are applicable to cruise ships whether at sea or port. The industry promotes practices that meet and often exceed these regulations.
• CLIA's Waste Management Best Practices and Procedures Policy identifies ways to exceed what is required environmentally of its members' cruise ships.
• All ships that visit U.S. ports are subject to inspection by flag state officials, classification societies, and the U.S. Coast Guard for compliance with federal and international regulations.
• New U.S. EPA rules enacted in 2009 (Vessel General Permit) now regulate all forms of vessel discharge including those not previously regulated.

Click for CLIA's Cruise Industry Waste Management Policy Doc.

Snapshot of CLIA Member Environmental Programs

Below Deck:

• Shore-based power where available and practicable
• Efficient engine designs, including diesel electric engines
• Exhaust scrubber project
• Low-sulfur and alternative fuel options
• Highly-sophisticated and optimized power management systems
• Ecological "slick" hull coatings save as much as 5% of fuel usage for propulsion.
• Propulsion and hull design optimization
• Water desalination plants
• Waste heat recovery and reuse systems
• Wastewater treatment and
• Advanced wastewater purification systems (AWPS)
• Solid waste and hazardous waste management
• Double bilge water treatment
• CLIA Practices and Procedures, e.g., treating blackwater everywhere worldwide
• Whale Strike Avoidance Procedures

Above Deck:

• Highly-efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems
• Testing alternative/renewable energy options (solar, wind)
• LED and compact fluorescent lighting last 25 times longer, use 80% less energy, and generate 50% less heat.
• Automatic lighting and air conditioning control systems
• Window coatings that reduce sun penetration and AC use
• Water use minimization (low flow showers and faucets, vacuum toilets)
• High-Efficiency Appliances (icemakers)
• Environmental stewardship videos for passengers
• Conservation International partnership
• Aggressive recycle programs result in over 79,000 tons of garbage recycled in a given year
• Waste minimization programs result in the average cruise passenger producing upwards of 70% less garbage

Environmental Regulatory Framework

*International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS), International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW)

• United States: EPA Vessel General Permit (promulgated 2009), Clean Water Act, Oil Pollution Act, Title VII Certain Alaskan Cruise Ship Operations, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Ocean Dumping Act, Garbage and Refuse Protection Act, Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Clean Air Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

Where does Cruise Ship Waste Go?

Cruise ships are required to comply with international, domestic and state laws from the International Maritime Organization IMO, U.S. Coast Guard, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state and port agencies.

Member lines of the Cruise Lines Industry Association (CLIA) are inherently committed to preserving the waters upon which cruise ships sail. CLIA and its member lines have adopted an industry policy that promotes environmental best practices that meet or go beyond the requirements of international and domestic law, providing increased stewardship of our oceans.