Climate protection & emissions
Reducing Climate-Damaging Emissions
With regard to our Mein Schiff fleet, we have identified four key drivers for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants:
Route and schedule adjustments, i.e., planning shorter routes and lower speeds
Expanding the use of shore power in port
Increasing energy efficiency through technical and operational measures across the fleet
Increasing the use of alternative fuels such as bio-LNG and methanol from renewable sources
A young fleet, state-of-the-art environmental technologies, and cutting-edge propulsion technologies
Because we have commissioned many new ships since our founding in 2008—including the first newbuild in the Mein Schiff® fleet as early as 2014—we were able to incorporate state-of-the-art environmental technologies from the very beginning. We have continued this approach with all subsequent newbuilds.
The Mein Schiff 7, which set sail in June 2024, runs exclusively on marine diesel instead of heavy fuel oil. In the future, it will even be able to use methanol produced from renewable energy sources.
Both the Mein Schiff Relax, which entered service in the spring of 2025, and the Mein Schiff Flow, which entered service in the summer of 2026, are equipped with a dual-fuel gas engine. Both ships have been regularly using bio-LNG from renewable sources (e.g. organic waste) during the 2026 summer season.
Effective Treatment of Exhaust Gases
Exhaust gases are another important issue. Our cruise ships not only emit CO2 but also air pollutants such as sulfur, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. That is why, for Mein Schiff 1 through Mein Schiff 6, we have opted for an exhaust gas aftertreatment system that combines a desulfurization unit (hybrid scrubber) with catalysts (SCR technology) to reduce these pollutants.
In a nutshell, we can consider the hybrid scrubber as giving exhaust gas a “shower”. This process washes sulfur and particles out of the exhaust gases. What remains is contaminated scrubber wash water, which in turn is treated. The residues filtered out are then collected and disposed of professionally ashore.
For example, the hybrid scrubber ensures a 99 percent reduction in sulfur emissions as well as a 60 percent reduction in soot and airborne microparticles.
TUI Cruises voluntary commitment
Alongside the efforts outlined above, from the day TUI Cruises went into business we decided to go beyond legal environmental requirements through our own voluntary commitments – also regarding emission reduction. By using scrubber technology around the clock, we have successfully reduced the exhaust sulfur content on Mein Schiff 1 through Mein Schiff 6 to max 0.1 percent worldwide since 2014, although a global sulfur limit of 0.5 per cent has only been mandatory since January 1, 2020.
The sulfur limit of 0.1 percent in European ports during layovers came into force since 2010.
In addition, TUI Cruises has established a clear standard for using catalytic converters in its maritime operations. As a general principle, the catalytic converters on the Mein Schiff® fleet are used in all ports and coastal areas worldwide to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. This is only legally required for newer ships in some Emission Control Areas (ECAs), e.g. the North American ECA for newbuilds from 2016 and the Northern European ECA for newbuilds from 2021
Catalytic converters reduce nitrogen oxides
SCR catalytic converters are already known from their application in the automotive industry. They reduce nitrogen oxides on Mein Schiff 1 through Mein Schiff 6 IMO TIER III Level. Improved SCR technology on Mein Schiff 7, and our InTUItion Class ships Mein Schiff Relax and Mein Schiff Flow, even meets the EURO 6 standard in port operations. We have also voluntarily committed to using catalytic converters worldwide, not just in the regions where they are required (known as NECAs).
Why saving energy is so important
Every measure we can take to reduce energy consumption also reduces the fuel (“bunker”) our ships require. That´s because energy for hotel operations is produced by onboard generators; in turn these are driven by the ship's engines, which need fuel. So by constantly improving energy efficiency we are also reducing emissions.
- More Light and Less Energy Consumption
The LED lights on board—such as those in the reading lounge shown here—reduce electricity consumption compared to conventional lighting.
- Switch everything off with just one touch
As soon as a cruise guest uses the main switch to turn out the lights when they leave their cabin, the air conditioning also switches off – an active contribution to cutting energy consumption.
- Water Management
In the public restrooms on board, the sinks are equipped with infrared sensors that feature an automatic water shut-off function. This reduces water consumption.
Less Laundry, Less Water ConsumptionOur guests can help reduce the amount of laundry that needs to be done on board, thereby conserving water. For example, by using only one pool towel. This effort continues in the stateroom. We advise our guests to have their towels changed only when they are actually soiled.
- Towel Exchange in the Cabin
In our cabins, guests will find signs encouraging them to use towels more than once to help reduce the environmental impact of washing.
Examples of energy saving in maritime operations
Short distances, less fuelSmart route planning helps us save considerable quantities of fuel. How? On our routes, many of the ports at which we call are located close to each other. This gives our ships more time and lets them reduce their speed, thereby saving fuel directly and reducing emissions as a result.
Gliding through the waterWith the right swimwear and cap, a swimmer can glide through water faster – and our ships also benefit from this effect. They are “clothed” in a silicone coating that reduces water friction. The coating is also less adherent to algae and other substances that could increase the hull´s drag.
