Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has welcomed UK government officials and energy stakeholders aboard Borealis for a roundtable discussion hosted by CLIA, focused on accelerating the cruise industry’s path to net zero

The event, held at Portsmouth International Port Cruise Terminal, brought together voices from across the energy and transport sectors, including the Energy Networks Association, Ofgem, the National Energy System Operator, and officials from the Department for Transport and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Chaired by CLIA, the roundtable provided a forum to explore methods for achieving the cruise sector’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050, in alignment with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2023 strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships.

Attendees discussed the cruise industry’s evolving energy landscape and the role of Onshore Power Supply (OPS) in this transition. OPS enables ships to draw electricity from the grid while berthed, significantly reducing in-port emissions. Portsmouth’s OPS system, currently under installation, is projected to cut carbon emissions by 20,000 metric tonnes annually from 2027.

Mike Sellers, director at Portsmouth International Port, said: “It’s evident there is a real appetite for sustainable fuel technology. While delivering this innovative system is not without its challenges, it was great to know that there’s a support and willingness for this to be a success.”

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines utilises OPS wherever available across its equipped sister ships – Borealis and Bolette – while investing in low-carbon technologies, like silicone-based hull coatings and advanced propeller systems designed to improve hydrodynamic efficiency and fuel performance.

Samantha Stimpson, CEO of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We are proud to have hosted this important discussion aboard Borealis and help shape the cruise industry’s path toward net zero emissions. Achieving net zero by 2050 is ambitious, which makes events like this vital for identifying practical strategies and collaborative solutions.

“For us, sustainability is more than a goal – it’s a responsibility. By adopting solutions such as shore power and working hand in hand with government and industry partners, we can make meaningful progress in reducing our impact and protecting the oceans we sail and the destinations we’re privileged to visit.”

Andy Harmer OBE, managing director of CLIA UK & Ireland, added: “The Roundtable hosted onboard Borealis was a great opportunity to discuss the importance of Onshore Power Supply which is a crucial component of our industry’s decarbonisation journey. Over 50 per cent of the global cruise fleet is already able to plug in, allowing ships to turn off their engines for emissions reductions of up to 98 per cent.

“CLIA has a vital role in bringing industry together with governments, raising the importance of environmental technologies and practices so that we can work together in our pursuit of net zero emissions by 2050.”