In an interview this morning with Andrew Williams, president - maritime, Informa Markets, at Seatrade Europe in Hamburg (September 6-8) Janecek conceded the cruise industry’s image still faces challenges when it comes to sustainability. However, this also means opportunities prevail.
‘Germans like to cruise,' the MP said, adding customers have started to demand products that are on the pathway to climate neutrality. Meeting this demand brings important opportunities to operators.
Germany: a leader in shore power
Janecek, who is coordinator for tourism and maritime industry affairs at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, highlighted Germany's efforts to install shore power at the country's cruise hubs. Rostock-Warnemünde, Hamburg and Kiel – three out of the country's four cruise hubs – are already equipped with the technology, with Bremerhaven expected to follow suit soon.
The MP stressed that according to regulations already in place, the provision and use of shore power will become mandatory in large ports from 2030 and in smaller ports from 2035.
Janecek revealed that €90m of funding is available in Germany over the next three years to support the expansion of shore power, and said he hoped other destinations in Europe would follow the German example when it comes to shore power.
Future fuels
The politician claimed that sustainability is as much a topic for river cruise lines as for ocean-going cruise lines, with innovation, electrification and retrofitting of older ships three important cornerstones on the road to climate neutrality.
At the same time, Janecek highlighted the importance of competitiveness as a pillar of Germany's tourism strategy, emphasising a need for funding to make new fuels economically viable for operators.
The MP referred to revenues that ought to be generated from the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) which will be allocated in a climate transformation fund and returned to the industry in order to support actions contributing to climate neutrality.
Janecek described these funding opportunities as another chance for cruise lines, calling the industry ‘a part of the solution to the climate challenge.’
CLIA Global Chair Pierfrancesco Vago calls for shore power investment
While its prevalence is low globally, Germany is facing largescale investments for shore power in the years ahead. On September 23, the Port of Kiel will see a new shore power installation at Ostuferhafen, which will be inaugurated in a ceremony attended by the Federal State Prime Minister Daniel Günther. This new plant is tailored to supplying MSC Cruises vessels conducting turnarounds at Kiel; MSC Euribia will be docked at the port for the plant’s official opening.
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