Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) and its AIDA Cruises line received three ESG Shipping Awards for environmental excellence at an international ceremony in Athens, Greece this week. The ESG Shipping Awards International 2024, the world’s first event of its kind, was established in partnership with the Ministry of Shipping and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping. The awards recognized companies in the global shipping industry for demonstrating innovation and exceptional commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices.
“We’re committed to leading the way in sustainable cruising and are incredibly proud to be recognized for the remarkable progress we’ve made toward cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reducing food waste across every aspect of our operation,” said Bill Burke, chief maritime officer. “The programs honored in the ESG Shipping Awards are just three of countless examples of decisive actions we’re taking to shrink our environmental footprint and pursue net zero GHG emission by 2050.”
Carnival Corporation and AIDA Cruises were recognized in the following categories:
Gold Climate Change Leader Award
Carnival Corporation has been recognized for its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) program, which it introduced as a fuel technology in the cruise industry. This program is considered the best available fuel for achieving immediate reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The company currently operates 10 LNG LNG-capable ships, with three more expected for delivery. By 2028, these ships will collectively make up approximately 25% of Carnival Corporation’s total fleet capacity. Furthermore, these ships can be adapted to use renewable fuels once they become more widely available. Through investments in LNG-powered ships and other climate actions, the company has managed to reduce its total GHG emissions by over 10% compared to its peak year in 2011.
Gold Technology Leader Award
AIDA Cruises received recognition for installing the largest lithium-ion battery energy storage system in passenger shipping on board AIDAprima, with a capacity of 10 megawatt hours. This innovative technology, installed in 2022 and extensively tested in 2023, enables the ship to operate in a net-zero emission mode for limited periods and supply energy to the ship. It is a part of AIDA’s significant efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its fleet.
Bronze Environment Leader Award
Carnival Corporation has been recognized for its proactive approach to reducing food waste. The company has implemented various measures to minimize unused food during food preparation and dining services onboard. These measures include investing in innovative food waste management technologies like biodigesters and dehydrators, which naturally break down and responsibly dispose of unused food. As a result of these efforts, the company has achieved a 40% reduction in food waste per person compared to its 2019 baseline, surpassing its 2025 goal and making progress towards its 2030 target of a 50% reduction.