Cruises 2025: German providers lag behind in the environmental ranking!

Cruises 2025: German providers lag behind in the environmental ranking!

There is a clear trend towards environmental awareness in the world of cruising, but there are still significant gaps. In 2024, around 35 million people traveled on cruise ships worldwide, and this is forecast to increase to around 41 million passengers in 2040. Against this background, the Nature Conservation Association Nabu contacted 14 of the largest cruise lines for a sustainability ranking in order to evaluate their efforts in the area of ​​climate and environmental protection. Of the 14 companies contacted, 12 responded to the request. However, the evaluation was sobering: only two providers were able to achieve half of all possible points, while their performance was worse compared to previous years. Saarbrücken newspaper, NABU

The best providers in the 2025 ranking are Havila, Hurtigruten and Ponant, while German brands such as Mein Schiff and Aida take 4th and 5th place in the upper midfield. What's particularly worth noting is that despite an increase from 6th place last year, Aida is still well behind its 2nd place finish in 2022. Last place was shared by Phoenix Reisen and Viking Ocean Cruises, which were not ranked due to a lack of answers.

Shipping companies’ sustainability initiatives

German providers are increasingly relying on shore power in the port, which means that their engines can be switched off while they are in port. My ship is even fully equipped with shore power. Additionally, both shipping companies have made advances in energy management and efficiency by planning better routes and using optimized hull shapes to reduce fuel consumption. However, NABU criticizes the fact that the industry as a whole still has some catching up to do with regard to fossil dependence, as the use of LNG as a temporary solution, which is nevertheless problematic, prevails. NABU is calling for increased investment in renewable fuels such as eFuels, which receive little attention in current practice. Saarbrücken newspaper

Although all shipping companies considered are sticking to their net zero target for 2050, there are hardly any concrete plans to achieve this goal early. Although improvements in efficiency can be seen, for example through lower energy consumption per passenger or the use of air bubble carpets, the actual greenhouse gas emissions per passenger kilometer remain highly variable. Some shipping companies continue to use heavy oil in combination with exhaust gas scrubbers, which continues to discharge residues into the sea. NABU

Future outlook

Overall, the cruise industry shows great differences in its efforts to protect the climate and the environment. While some shipping companies are making progress and have innovative solutions in the pipeline, the use of fossil fuels remains a massive challenge that is driving the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. In order to achieve our own climate goals, far-reaching measures and a rethink are required. In its analysis, NABU found that the results in the 2025 ranking are worse compared to previous years and appeals to shipping companies to work more actively for a more environmentally friendly future. Saarbrücken newspaper