1 – SSE Adoption

First, BA looked at the global fleet overall, including those ships currently on order, to see the breakdown of ships that have, or will have shore power.

When assessing the global cruise fleet, including ships on order, 42% have adopted shore power, while 58% have yet to implement this sustainable technology. This highlights ample room for growth in shore side electricity adoption.

Considering the distribution by the number of lower berths, 56% of total lower berths on cruise ships have access to shore power, while 44% do not. This balanced distribution demonstrates that larger vessels are adopting shore power at a faster pace.

2 – SSE Adoption by Age of Cruise Ship

Next, BA examined how SSE adoption correlates with a cruise ship’s age. The data reveals a clear trend – newer vessels are more likely to have SSE capabilities. Ships in the “New Build” category, representing vessels set to enter the global fleet, lead the way with an impressive 68% of new builds on order being equipped with SSE technology. For ships aged under 10 years, SSE adoption remains high at 54% of those ships having shore power capabilities.

As ships continue to age, the percentage of those equipped with SSE naturally decreases. For ships under 20 years old, the adoption rate drops to 40%, while ships under 30 years old are at 38%. Notably, ships over 30 years old, while representing a small portion of the fleet at just 5%. This shows that at these older ages, SSE is a feasible retrofit option for older vessels.

% of Ships by Age Group with SSE

3 – SSE Adoption by Size of Cruise Ship

Size, it seems, does matter when it comes to SSE adoption. There is a correlation with ship size based on the number of lower berths.

Ships with more than 4,000 lower berths lead the pack in SSE adoption, with an impressive 67% of them equipped with SSE technology. Following closely behind are ships between 2,500 and 4,000 lower berths, with 57% of them embracing SSE technology. Medium (1,000 to 2,500 lower berths) and small ships (less than 1,000 lower berths) have SSE adoption rates of 44% and 29%, respectively.

SSE adoption across different ship sizes highlights that cruise companies recognize the importance of reducing their environmental impact, regardless of their vessel’s capacity.

% of Ships by Size with SSE

4 – Leading the Charge

When examining which cruise corporations are at the forefront of SSE adoption, some clear leaders emerge. Carnival Corporation, one of the industry’s giants, leads the way with ~60 of its ships, or more than 60% of its fleet, equipped with SSE technology. Following closely behind is MSC Cruises, with 20 of its ships, or just over 65% of its fleet embracing the green initiative. Similarly, NCLH has also made significant strides with ~50% of its fleet equipped with SSE.

The commitment to sustainability extends beyond the well-known giants, with smaller companies like Hurtigruten, Virgin, Ponant, Mystic, Viking, Azamara and Disney all surpassing the 50% mark in SSE adoption. Hurtigruten, Virgin, Mystic, Viking, Disney and Azamara deserve special mention, with all or nearly all their ships equipped with SSE technology.

Charting the Course Ahead

While operators continue to retrofit existing vessels, withdraw older vessels, or construct new vessels, these numbers will continue to change, though the increasing trend will prevail. This drive is not only coming from the industry’s pursuit of net-zero carbon operations by 2050, but regulations coming online today that mandate and necessitate the need for shore power.

Shore power mandates are already in place in regions like California, with the EU’s new Fit for 55 legislation requiring that all cruise ships use shore power for their electricity needs while moored at major EU ports by 2030. Shore power will help ships adhere to other regulations coming online, such as the CII, in reducing their overall CO2 emissions. These requirements — and future requirements — are and will fundamentally change the way ports need to operate, compelling them to invest in the necessary infrastructure to support the industry’s transformation.

The journey toward sustainability in the cruise industry is far from a solitary endeavor carried out by individual operators. Rather, it is a comprehensive transformation that involves all stakeholders, including ports, regulatory bodies, and the broader maritime ecosystem. As these various entities collaboratively invest in greener infrastructure, adopt energy-efficient technologies, and adapt to ever-evolving environmental regulations, the industry is poised to navigate towards a more sustainable and eco-conscious future. This not only benefits the cruise sector but also contributes to global sustainability efforts, setting a precedent for other industries to follow.