Sustainable Cruise Ships: The Industry’s Contribution to a Greener Future

Sustainability and Cruise Ships – Can They Work Together?

At OceanEvent, cruise ships are at the heart of what we do. We organize conferences, events, celebrations, and incentives at sea worldwide. We are deeply aware of our environmental responsibility.

In collaboration with Fokus Zukunft GmbH & Co. KG, we regularly evaluate our operations, daily activities, and travel initiatives. We reduce emissions wherever possible and prioritize working with the most sustainable ships and cruise lines in the industry – a number that is thankfully growing every year. Thanks to these efforts, OceanEvent is proud to be recognized as a Climate-Neutral Company.

OceanEvent’s Commitment to Sustainability

“I have closely followed the efforts of cruise lines to build more environmentally friendly ships from the start.”

Christian Muehleck
Founder & CEO OceanEvent GmbH

Our Contribution

At OceanEvent, we take direct responsibility for the emissions generated by our charter cruises. Even small changes make a big difference. For example, a ship traveling at 9 knots with only one engine running emits significantly less than one cruising at 19 knots. Our nautical experts carefully design the routes for every OceanEvent cruise, determining travel speeds to minimize environmental impact.

Leisurely cruising is a win-win for participants during maritime events, and an essential step for the environment. This approach allows us to make events aboard cruise ships as eco-friendly as possible.
Eco-friendly Cruise Ships

By 2050, the cruise industry must be carbon neutral. For this reason, cruise lines have been investing billions in innovative propulsion systems, environmentally friendly fuels, emission avoidance, shore power, heat recovery and waste recycling for years.

As Europe's leading cruise event specialist, we also influence these sustainability efforts by selecting the ships and shipping companies offered by OceanEvent. We have the newest and most sustainable cruise ships in our portfolio.

Ask us about them!

Sustainability in Cruising and at OceanEvent

Despite all technical progress, emissions from cruise ships will remain a burden on the environment until the industry has achieved its goal of complete decarbonization by 2050. For Christian Muehleck, this is a reason to support projects that contribute to the United Nations' “Sustainability Development Goals” (SDGs).

We currently hold climate certificates for a hydroelectric power plant that generates electricity in the Indian state of Uttaranchal. 1,468,106 tons of CO2e are neutralized here every year, contributing to important UN climate protection goals: Affordable & Clean Energy (SDG7), Decent Work & Economic Growth (SDG8), Climate Action (SDG13).

CLIMATE-NEUTRAL CRUISE EVENTS – IS IT POSSIBLE?

We are doing everything we can

Since 2018, Fokus Zukunft has calculated OceanEvent’s greenhouse gas emissions biennially. Most emissions are generated onboard cruise ships, from fuel consumption to energy usage and wastewater management. However, other factors like route planning, travel speed, guest transportation, catering, and onboard activities also play significant roles.

We strive to operate as sustainably as possible, and any remaining emissions are offset through climate certificates.

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint

It is encouraging to see how environmental awareness is taking root. Since the first survey in 2019, OceanEvent has been saving CO₂ in its operations wherever possible. Especially because we now present maritime event concepts and ships via video conferencing.
More than 90 percent of our customer contacts take place virtually, necessary travel up to 400 km is by train, we save energy and value high-quality, sustainably produced products.

We offset any remaining emissions from our operations through this funding project in India. Information about the 'Climate-neutral company' seal, which Fokus Zukunft awards us, can be found HERE.

sustainable cruise ships

Eco-friendly Cruise Ships at OceanEvent

Even the largest cruise ships today emit significantly fewer pollutants than they did just five years ago. Particulate emissions have been reduced by 95 percent, nitrogen oxides by 85 percent and greenhouse gases by around 20 percent.

An important intermediate step on the way to climate-neutral ship operations is shore power. A cruise ship spends around 40 percent of its time operating in port. In the past, the diesel engines simply kept running to supply the kitchen, laundry and the entire hotel and entertainment operations. “By using shore power, the engines can be switched off and emissions reduced to almost zero,” says Christian Muehleck. Many of the ships in the OceanEvent portfolio are now equipped for shore power. What is still lagging behind, however, are the ports that have to provide the electricity. Currently, fewer than 20 ports worldwide can do so. Three of them are in Germany.

“The industry is calling on port authorities to also invest in a sustainable shore power infrastructure and to ensure that the electricity comes from green, renewable sources.” In addition to Germany, this is currently happening primarily in the Mediterranean region, where massive investments are planned. Because under the EU's Fit for 55 program, shore power must be deployed in all major ports of the European Union by 2030.

The Perfect Ship for Your Maritime Event

Are you looking for a sustainable cruise ship for your corporate event or private celebration at sea? OceanEvent has the most eco-friendly ships for your event.

We design sustainable itineraries and excursions and offer our clients the option to make their charter cruises climate-neutral through Fokus Zukunft.

CHOOSE YOUR SHIP