EMEA News
CLIA: EU's "Patchwork" Sulfur Rules Affecting Ships' Operational Efficiency
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) says that inconsistent implementation of European Union (EU) legislation in European ports is negatively impacting operators' ability to optimise vessel performance, GP Wild notes in its latest International Cruise Market Monitor.
"The way certain pieces of EU legislation are applied across Europe can be compared to a patchwork quilt, which is affecting our ability to optimise our ships' operational efficiency," said Raphael von Heereman, Clia Europe's general secretary, adding that the EU's sulfur directive is a "prime example."
"While cruise lines invest in expensive, open-loop scrubber technology to comply with the directive, in remains unclear in which ports they will be able to use it," explained von Heereman.
In order to address the issue, von Heerman says that "EU member states need to focus on aligning the application of European legislation at all their ports to avoid this confusion."
CLIA's chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago of MSC Cruises, also warns that, although the European cruise industry has a positive long-term outlook, "the future could be much brighter."
Vago says that CLIA advocates a consensus-based and multi-stakeholder led approach that includes cruise companies, ports, authorities, and other tourism stakeholders in finding solutions to challenges faced by the industry.
However a number of European ports are experiencing difficulties in keeping pace with the needs of the cruise industry's growth, he says, and notes that upgraded port infrastructure across Europe would facilitate the opening of new routes, destinations, and the industry's overall impact.
"Although we face big challenges, Clia and the cruise industry are committed to doing what's necessary to ensure that the cruise industry continues to growth sustainably in Europe for years to come," adds Vago.
In August, it was reported that ships destined for the UK could save money by using ports on the Welsh coast due to a "loophole" that omits the Irish Sea from ECA rules.
