First anniversary of the signature of the Sustainable Cruise Charter in the Mediterranean: The sector presents its first positive assessment and recalls its commitments

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) organizes, on the occasion of the trade show for an innovative maritime industry, Euromaritime, a presentation of the results of the Charter for sustainable cruising in the Mediterranean. This Charter, signed in October 2022, between the French Government and the main cruise players, aims to reduce the environmental impact of cruising while promoting innovative technological solutions in the realm of sustainable development.

As the first step in the application of the Charter, the Interregional Directorate of the Mediterranean Sea (DIRM) conducted audits in 2023 aimed at evaluating the performance of cruise companies on the 13 commitments contained in the text (see link below).  Vessels receiving a compliance rate greater than 80% were awarded a certificate of conformity. These audits were carried out between September 21 and November 21, 2023, by the lead actor for LRQA certification in the presence of an observer from the DIRM and took place in the ports of Marseille, Toulon, Cannes, and Nice.

At the end of this work, all 12 CLIA member vessels audited were given a certificate of conformity with the commitments of the Charter. These results are a testament to the numerous efforts made by cruise stakeholders to continually improve environmental practices in terms of emissions and waste treatment and to accelerate their energy transition in favor of achieving our carbon neutrality objectives.

The efforts made in recent years by the sector should reach a new key stage next year with the installation of shoreside electrical connections in Toulon and Marseille. A long-time promoter of this solution, the sector has nearly 50% of its global fleet already equipped with such connections which will enable the reduction of emissions and noise pollution to nearly zero when the ships are docked.

Marie-Caroline Laurent, Director General of CLIA Europe declared: “This first anniversary of the Charter for sustainable cruising in the Mediterranean is an opportunity to celebrate the collective efforts of the cruise sector to continuously improve its environmental performance. We are very pleased that all CLIA members involved have received the 2023 certification awarded by the authorities. These efforts to reduce our impact on the environment must continue with a closer partnership between public authorities and ports. We are fully committed that cruise becomes an ever more sustainable way of discovering the world.”

Eric Banel, Director General of Maritime Affairs said: “The Sustainable Cruise Charter in the Mediterranean illustrates the capacity of maritime stakeholders to commit to a concrete and ambitious energy transition fully and collectively. We are delighted with the first results of this audit which also demonstrates very fruitful collaboration between the public and private sectors.”

Follow this link to get more information on the French Charter: https://mer.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/2022-10/charte.pdf