Top 5 Most Environmentally-Friendly Cruise Ports

Not only are cruise lines trying to improve how environmentally friendly their ships and practices are, but cruise ports themselves are striving to become more sustainable and do their part.

From using alternative fuels, to utilising renewable energy sources and cruise ship shore power; which is rapidly becoming popular throughout the world, with 29 ports internationally now equipped with shore power capabilities including the Port of Seattle and the Port of Los Angeles. Prioritising sustainability investments, ports are aligning with the CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) requirements, alongside partnering with them to rapidly develop action plans to deliver sustainable tourism.

A primary example of a cruise terminal that’s helping to make cruising more environmentally friendly is the Royal Caribbean Group’s new cruise terminal in Galveston, USA. Designed to “advance the development of sustainable infrastructure”, it aims to be the first zero energy cruise terminal in the state of Texas. 100% solar-powered lighting initiatives which reduce lighting pollution and shoreside power capabilities are just some of the advancements they are putting in place.

Read on to find out more about what other international ports are doing to become more environmentally friendly.

International Ports Striving for Sustainability

Ports in the USA aren’t the only ones taking positive steps towards more sustainable cruising. The following ports in the UK, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean are all paving the way towards the goal of net zero carbon cruising by 2050; a goal that was first created by the CLIA.

Utilising existing, innovative technology and setting plans for future actions, these ports aim to reduce their carbon footprint by reducing emissions, pollution and the amount of waste they produce.

Port of Dover (UK)

One of the UK’s busiest ports, the Port of Dover is situated in the heart of the coastal town. Many cruise lines sail from Dover, including Hurtigruten, Carnival Cruise Line and Fred. Olsen, offering itineraries that include cruises to northern Europe, cruises to the Mediterranean and cruises to the Baltics.

And when it comes to sustainability, it’s clear that it’s been a priority for the port for over 20 years, with its environmental monitoring programme being introduced in 1992. They have also reduced their carbon footprint by “85% since 2007” and have set several sustainability targets for the upcoming years within their initiative Targeting our Sustainable Future, which includes:

Target 2025:

• Utilising alternative fuels and renewable energy sources
• Offsetting carbon emissions
• ‘Electrifying’ the port’s landslide fleet

Target 2030:

• Minimising carbon emissions in both their development projects and procurement

The Port of Dover aims to ensure that by 2030, there is “no net release of carbon into the atmosphere” and is striving to create a Green Corridor by working with both the local community, other ports and customers. In 2020, it announced its partnership with ECOsubsea, which cleans cruise ships, allowing them to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

It’s also been working with Hurtigruten since 2019 to ensure that sailings are more sustainable:

“The port is fully supportive of all cruise lines that put environmental sustainability at the heart of their business and operations and we look forward to welcoming Hurtigruten to Dover soon for their first UK departure.”

- Port of Dover Spokesperson

Valletta Cruise Port (Malta)

Another bustling cruise port is Valletta. Located on the edge of the city, this popular cruise port welcomes several different cruise lines throughout the year, including MSC Cruises, Seabourn and Royal Caribbean, that offer cruises to Europe, the Mediterranean and beyond.

In terms of sustainable actions taken, Valletta Cruise Port was awarded for the initiatives it put into place in 2022 at the World Cruise Awards. Winning the ‘World’s Best Cruise Terminal for Sustainability’, several initiatives, such as developing shoreside electricity infrastructure (including a €37m investment into placing shore power into 5 of its main cruise ship quays) that align with the Grand Harbour Clean Air Project aim to improve air quality, alongside reducing the amount of emissions the port puts out.

Alongside the port itself, the Valletta Cruise Port Social Club has created certain initiatives including cultural and environmental activities to help ensure that the port helps with sustainable tourism development.

Port of Oslo (Norway)

Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises and P&O Cruises all sail to Oslo, and dock in the vibrant main cruise port. Located within minutes of local attractions, restaurants and shops, the popular cruise port is perfectly situated for a day of exploring the capital.

The Port of Oslo has introduced several sustainability initiatives designed to make it more environmentally friendly. Firstly, it implemented the Environmental Port Index- which supports eco-friendly cruise operations, including aiming to reduce carbon emissions. Empowering the port to follow best practice when it comes to sustainability, it aligns with the Port of Oslo’s vision to become a zero-emission port. Utilising innovative, green technology and collaborating with the city and cruise lines, it’s on its way to becoming one of the world’s most sustainable and efficient cruise ports.

In 2021, it also encouraged the use of clean energy by implementing a pilot project that invested money into shore power.

Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (Hong Kong)

The Kai Tak cruise terminal in Hong Kong has been a busy port since its opening in 2013. Marella Cruises, Holland America Line and Norwegian Cruise Line are just three of the cruise lines that utilise this port, with cruise itineraries including the likes of Australasia and southern Asia.

Awarded the APEC Green Port Award for four years in a row (2018 to 2022), the Kai Tak cruise terminal showcases its commitment to sustainability, through various incentives it has in place. From LNG bunkering, to partnering with community groups to ensure the actions it’s taking are eco-friendly, using LED lighting, solar panels, and utilising water-to-water heat pumps throughout.

Le Havre Cruise Port (France)

And finally, Le Havre in northern France. Although it’s not one of the busiest cruise ports in this list, Cunard, Princess Cruises and Oceania Cruises (amongst other major cruise lines) sail into Le Havre each year. A gateway for Europe and the Mediterranean, Le Havre is another cruise port that has ambitious sustainability plans.

One example of this is that by the end of 2025, they hope to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and the amount of pollutants that cruise ships create by introducing shore power into their cruise quays. During its construction, low carbon operations were used to reduce road traffic and it was ensured that the terminal also has a photovoltaic roof (so that the building is more energy efficient).

The Green Cruise Port Project

The Green Cruise Port Project is a sustainable development programme that’s been introduced in several Baltic and northern European countries. Designed to ensure there is qualitative and sustainable future development within cruise port areas, it initially took place between 2016 and 2019. There were several actions listed in the project including:

• Improving port infrastructure to reduce cruise emissions by using innovative technical sustainability developments.
• Establishing modern terminal buildings with ‘smart’ facilities
• Smart cruise port traffic solutions to reduce the environmental impact

Some of the ports that took part in the project included:

• Hamburg Port
• Rostock Port
• Freeport of Riga
• Port of Tallinn
• Port of Helsinki
• Port of Bergen

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Read our other blog, Top 5 Most Environmentally-Friendly Cruise Ships to find out more about what cruise ships are doing to ensure they are more sustainable.