Cruise ships continue to underperform on environmental expectations. This assessment comes from the tenth annual sustainability report in the sector, produced by Germany’s leading conservation organization. The industry still releases significant pollutants into the atmosphere, comparable to tens of thousands of cars, while safety incidents at sea persist.
For a decade, NABU has evaluated the measures and targets adopted by cruise operators with European itineraries, focusing on emissions. A survey covered 19 maritime companies, with the best scoring 17 points. Hurtigruten Norway again led the field, yet the score remained only about half of the potential. The remaining operators trailed behind. At the lower end of the rankings were MSC, Costa Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Phönix Reisen, and Marella. The study’s authors note that many operators have made promises and issued announcements, but tangible improvements have not materialized to date.
Senior NABU cruise expert Sönke Diesener remarked: “The 2022 rankings show that environmental protection and climate action are still distant goals for many cruise operators. Heavy fuel oil continues to be the predominant fuel for the vast majority of ships in service.”
Sustainable journeys ranking 2022. Shown in green as a positive score. NABU
Although most cruise lines claim to have a climate strategy and environmental commitments, heavy fuel oil remains dominant. New ship orders continue to favor traditional propulsion systems. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is another fossil option that can, in practice, carry higher climate impacts than marine diesel for many routes and vessels.
Electrical shore power installations are increasing, but actual use remains limited. Batteries and fuel cells, when deployed, supplement the combustion engine rather than replacing it, as questions linger about long-term viability and sustainability for the sector.
Smaller expedition ships perform only slightly better on environmental metrics due to fewer passengers per voyage and longer, more distant itineraries that raise the per‑passenger footprint. Expeditions frequently visit environmentally sensitive regions, compounding the impact.
A cruise ship emitting polluting gases hapke
Ecologists in Action highlight that Spain ranks highly in pollution attributed to cruise activity, with Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca cited as hotspots. The bodies responsible for these assessments point out that operators active in urban hubs and pursuing aggressive expansion plans tend to perform worse. In this release, MSC, Costa, and Royal Caribbean are named among the most active in those markets.
Call for a ban on heavy fuel oil and LNG
Given these concerns, the environmental group calls for an immediate ban on heavy fuel oil and liquefied natural gas and urges a plan to phase out cruise emissions in the near term, arguing that the industry conflicts with public health goals, energy conservation, and a shift toward sustainable and socially fair tourism.
Debate continues in several Spanish ports about curbing cruise traffic, especially in peak summer months. Palma de Mallorca has begun limiting docking to three ships per day, and Ibiza’s administration has discussed following a similar path, though no final decision has been reached yet.
In Barcelona, one of Europe’s busiest ports due to steady ship arrivals, Mayor Ada Colau supports reducing ship numbers to sustainable levels. Government partners, however, have shown reluctance to allow the port to self-regulate beyond agreed criteria.
For readers seeking a detailed ranking by cruise line, the latest NABU report provides the full methodology and outcomes in a dedicated section, with findings summarized across the major players in the industry.
Environment officials encourage consideration of how port policy, fleet composition, and fuel choices influence air quality and coastal ecosystems. The discussion on sustainable tourism continues as cities weigh the trade-offs between economic activity and environmental health.
Note: This rewritten piece preserves the original focus on environmental accountability for cruise operators and the ongoing call for meaningful emissions reductions, while presenting updated language and structure for clarity and accessibility.