Norwegian cruise companies Havila and Hurtigruten lead the Nabu environmental ranking, according to an annual assessment of climate protection efforts by Naturschutzbund Deutschland (Nabu).
The ranking, which was based on voluntary information provided by 15 surveyed cruise lines, shows that even the leading companies are not considered environmentally friendly. The top-ranked companies did not reach half of the possible points in the Nabu assessment.
Even the top-ranked companies are far from an environmentally friendly way of traveling.
Industry fuel reliance and ranking results
Nabu stated that the cruise industry remains on a fossil fuel course, with many companies continuing to rely on heavy fuel oil and solutions such as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Out of the twelve investigated cruise lines, only four completely exclude the use of heavy fuel oil.
Companies must now switch to climate-friendly drives and clean fuels.
The ranking placed the French cruise line Ponant, alongside the German providers TUI Cruises with Mein Schiff and Aida Cruises, in a tie for third place. At the bottom of the environmental ranking were Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and the British provider Marella. While Phoenix Reisen, Viking Ocean Cruises, and Nicko Cruises were surveyed, they did not provide answers.
According to Nabu, climate emissions per passenger kilometer are decreasing at most companies due to technical retrofits and new builds.
