Climate protection & emissions
The climate targets of our Sustainability Strategy 2030
Our vision is to offer the first climate-neutral cruises by 2030. And latest by 2050, we aim to achieve climate-neutral (net zero) cruise operations.
We intend to achieve these climate targets by:
Optimizing routes and voyage planning
Expanding our use of green shore power
Increasing operational and technical energy efficiency
Increasing our use of climate-friendly fuels
The latest technologies fitted right from the start
When it comes to climate protection, operating a young fleet helps a lot. TUI Cruises was founded in 2008 and put the first Mein Schiff® fleet newbuild into service in 2014. We have incorporated the latest and most efficient environmental technologies in all our other newbuilds and have been able to reduce energy consumption by 30 to 40 percent compared to similar vessels.
Mein Schiff 7, which entered into service in June 2024, runs exclusively on marine diesel instead of heavy fuel oil (HFO). In future it may even run on green methanol from renewable energy sources.
Mein Schiff Relax, which entered service in spring 2025, is fitted with dual-fuel engine. So is Mein Schiff Flow, planned to follow in 2026. Both ships can use bio- and e-LNG without requiring any further technical adjustments.
Comprehensive exhaust gas treatment
Exhaust gases are another key sustainability topic. Our cruise ships not only emit CO2 but also other air pollutants such as sulfur, nitrogen oxides and fine particles. We have therefore opted for comprehensive exhaust-gas aftertreatment for Mein Schiff 1 through Mein Schiff 6. This combines a desulfurization system (hybrid scrubber) and catalytic converters (SCR technology) to significantly reduce air emissions.
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 by 75 percent. 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 also pursue an "above and beyond" approach to using catalysts and apply them worldwide in all port and coastal areas, not merely in the legally required regions.
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, less energy consumption
The LED lamps on board, such as these in the Leselounge, are highly energy-efficient and help to reduce our electricity consumption clearly.
- 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.
- Sustainable water management
The basins in the public washrooms on board are equipped with infra-red sensors to cut off the faucets automatically – delivering major savings in freshwater consumption.
Less Changing, More Sustainability On BoardOur guests can help reduce the amount of laundry on board and save water. For example, by using only one pool towel. This effort continues in the cabin. We recommend that guests only have towels replaced when they are actually dirty.
- 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.
