Cruises and environment

CO2 emissions in Barcelona by sector

Maritime activities account for 10.9% of the city's CO₂ emissions, a figure that covers all port activity and not only cruise ships. Looking at cruise ships alone, their CO₂ emissions represent 3.1% of Barcelona's total, and their NOx emissions 0.7%.

Across the city as a whole, the largest emitter is transport, at 27.41% of the total. It is followed by services, at 20.59%, and household consumption, at 20.04%. The port and the airport together account for 12.86% (cruise ships make up 3.1% within that figure). Behind them come municipal waste treatment, at 10.67%, industry, at 7.67%, and all remaining activities, at 0.4%.

How much water do cruise ships consume?

Cruise ships have long been an example of self-sufficiency and water independence thanks to advanced desalination and reuse equipment that allows them not to be dependent on the water resources of the destinations. Eighty percent of cruise ships calling at Barcelona do not take on water at the port because they do not need it. In 2022, water consumption by cruise ships was 0.09% of the total water consumed in Barcelona.

How the cruise industry manages water

The cruise industry applies technologies aimed at reducing water consumption, reusing water and producing it on board, with management that runs from production through to wastewater treatment:

Reducing consumption

Ships are fitted with flow restrictors in the showers and vacuum toilets, which use one litre per flush compared with eight in conventional systems. Added to this are dishwashers and laundry equipment that save and recycle water, along with awareness campaigns aimed at crew and passengers.

Reuse

Water from the condensation of the air-conditioning systems is reused for toilets, laundry and deck cleaning.

Purification

Ships produce on board up to 90% of the fresh water they consume, through reverse osmosis plants and vacuum evaporators.

Wastewater treatment

According to CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), 77% of its fleet (202 ships) is already equipped with advanced wastewater treatment systems, meeting standards that the association places above those of land-based plants, and 100% of newly built cruise ships will incorporate them.

Onboard waste management

Today, shipping companies have an environmental department headed by and Environmental Officer. Shis are equipped with sophisticated systems that allow the utilization of almost 100% of the waste generated on board through disposal, reuse, recycling...

Particulate matter and nitrogen oxides

Cruise activity at the Port of Barcelona accounts for 0.7% of the city's nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and 0.16% of its particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5). This is a modest contribution to air pollution, and one that has fallen by 10% compared with the 2016 study.

Mobility with liquefied natural gas (LNG)

LNG is an alternative, clean and ecological fuel that reduces emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 90% and CO2 by 40% without producing sulfur compounds or particles and without polluting soil or water in case of spillage. At the Port of Barcelona we promote the use of this ecological fuel for ships, trucks and port equipment to achieve sustainable maritime transport and comply with the 2020 IMO (International Maritime Organization) standard.

Giving value to environmentally friendly boats

60% of the cruise ships calling at the Port of Barcelona have been built after 2010 and produce up to 20% less emissions, and 10% of the ships arriving in Barcelona already run on LNG. To increase these figures and achieve our goals, in addition to promoting sustainability in the industry, we offer a range of discounts on green ships when using the port grounds and its facilities.