Sea Europe participates to CLIA's Workshop on Air Emissions

From 13 till 14 September 2016, CLIA – the Cruise Lines International Association – organised a high-level workshop on air emissions at the headquarter of the International Maritime Organisation in London.

The well-attended meeting looked at the overall environmental challenges of the shipping industry, with a particular focus on the position of the cruise industry. The audience, furthermore, exchanged views on possible solutions to meet the new legislative requirements with regard to NOx (nitrogen oxides), SOx (sulphur oxide) and PM (particals). Attention was also paid to the availability of alternative fuels such as Liquefied Natural Gas.

SEA Europe’s Secretary General, Christophe Tytgat, and the association’s Technical Director, Mario Dogliani, attended the workshop, together with other maritime industry high-level executives and technical experts.

In his presentation, Mario Dogliani focused on the recent efforts carried out by European shipyards and maritime equipment manufacturers in terms of environmental research, development and innovation. He highlighted in particular the industry’s efforts in terms of Liquefied Natural Gas.

Referring to last week’s order by Carnival Cruise Line of three additional LNG-propelled cruise ships, which will be built at the Meyer Shipyards in Papenburg (Germany) and Turku (Finland), he said: “it is now clear that our industry has moved into a new era. This recent order brings the number of LNG-propelled cruise ships to 11. We have now moved away from the chicken-and-egg discussion. Our industry – both the cruise industry, European shipyards and European maritime equipment manufacturers – have shown courage to move forward with LNG propelled ships despite remaining uncertainties about the position of Member States to invest in the required LNG infrastructure. We hope – but are confident – that Member States will now also start doing their part of the job”.

“The LNG example clearly demonstrates that the maritime industry has much to gain from cooperation, including research, development and innovation, said Christophe Tytgat. “It now remains to be seen whether also other ship types will follow the example of the cruise industry. Only time will tell.”