Is your fleet’s waste management strategy built for long-term resilience?

A recent study by YouGov found that:

47%

of adult Gen Z travelers (ages 18–28) and 42% of Millennials (ages 29–44) worry about the environmental impact of their travel.

31%

of Baby Boomers (ages 61-79) and 26% of those over 79 share the same concern.

This data signals a shift: younger generations are embracing cruising, but they want to do it with a clear conscience. Trust acts as both a differentiator and a foundation for consumer choice, significantly influencing purchasing decisions and long-term brand success. Growing trust in the long-term sustainability of cruise travel is built through transparency, determined commitment to improvement, and collaboration with local communities welcoming the passengers. Comparing the sustainability impact of cruise travel to other transport modes—such as air travel—is not straightforward. Unlike flying, a cruise experience includes the full holiday package: accommodation, dining, and entertainment, making such considerations more complex. Working toward a “quadruple win”: for planet, passengers, cruise lines and local communities, is the recipe for success.

Forward-thinkers are paving the way

Public opinion may be one driving force for the maritime industry. Regulatory developments are another, like the MARPOL Annex IV and V, governing the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships. For forward-thinking cruise lines, future-proofing is not just about decarbonization. Proactive shipowners and shipyards are going above and beyond to invest in closed-loop solutions.

This is a long-term strategic investment. As Dame Ellen MacArthur, a former British sailor and pioneer in the circular economy movement, aptly puts it: “A circular economy is not just about sustainability—it’s about resilience.” Circular economy models enhance your fleet’s resilience through minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency.

What can closed-loop systems look like?

Let’s get on the cruise ship. With thousands of passengers onboard, organic wet waste, such as food waste and biosludge, presents a major challenge. Limited space, strict disposal regulations (rightly so), and energy-intensive drying and burning processes add to the complexity.

One of the most promising innovations in maritime closed-loop technology is the Evac HydroTreat wet waste treatment system, which transforms waste into hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) biochar which can be used as biogenic energy — and perhaps in the near future, as soil fertilizer pellets. This innovative process eliminates the need to dry and burn wet waste, significantly reducing the ship’s CO2 emissions. On top of that, cutting edge enhanced energy efficiency further translates to lower operating costs.

Key advantages for shipowners:

• Reduces onboard organic waste volume by up to 90%
• Enhances compliance with MARPOL Annex IV-V
• Converts waste into biogenic fuel for onboard energy production, retaining 90% of its thermal energy —and potentially, into soil fertilizer pellets
• Supports sustainability goals while optimizing operational efficiency

This is just one example of circular thinking in action at sea. With 149 patents and 19 filed applications on circular solutions, we can help build resilience into your operations through resource recovery, stakeholder trust, and lower waste management cost.