CLIA member cruise lines are committed to preserving and protecting the environment. Regrettably, there have been violations of environmental laws involving cruise lines in the past. These incidents have served as an important wake-up call, causing our industry to redouble its efforts to improve its environmental performance. These incidents also demonstrate, however, that the international cruise industry is strictly accountable to U.S. environmental enforcement agencies and subject to severe penalties whenever violations occur.
As a result, CLIA member lines have strengthened their own environmental policies and procedures, and closely monitor onboard activities to ensure these standards are maintained. The internal procedures are designed to meet existing and comprehensive federal, state, and international standards designed to prevent discharges from all commercial vessels.
Federal and State Pollution Standards for Cruise Ships
- The federal government imposes substantial civil and criminal penalties, not only for oil pollution but also for waste discharged by vessels registered in any nation.
- The U.S. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) 1986 is normally associated with landfills, but also regulates hazardous waste disposal on all commercial vessels. It imposes civil liability and mandates recovery of damages to natural resources and pollution clean-up costs incurred by federal and state governments.
- The well-publicized Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) and the federal Clean Water Act combine to impose strict liability and criminal penalties for illegal discharges of oil, wastewater, sewage, and other toxic and hazardous substances.
- The U.S. Coast Guard is now finalizing a national ballast water policy to prevent the introduction of foreign aquatic species into coastal and internal waters of the United States. These laws primarily impact international cargo and passenger vessels that arrive from foreign destinations.
- Coastal states, such as Florida, Alaska and California, also enacted similar laws strictly regulating pollution from ships traveling within state waters. These laws, which supplement federal laws, also apply to foreign-flag vessels and are in some instances even more stringent.
International Environmental Standards
- In addition to federal and state laws, cruise lines operate within a comprehensive scheme of international environmental standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), an agency of the United Nations based in London. These standards are set forth in international conventions, including the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships (MARPOL 73/78).
- MARPOL sets strict standards for all commercial vessels, including passenger vessels, to prevent ship-generated pollution from oil, garbage, and waste. MARPOL has been ratified by some 90 nations, including the United States and most other maritime nations of the world.
- The United States Coast Guard enforces the laws on all domestic and international vessels that operate or call on U.S. ports while in U.S. waters.
- Coastal states also possess their own regulatory enforcement mechanisms and have concurrent authority over all vessels operating in state waters. For example the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and California utilizes its Department of Fish and Game to enforce state pollution laws.
- Mechanisms for enforcement of pollution laws include routine and random boardings and inspections by the Coast Guard to ensure compliance with federal and international laws. Satellite surveillance, vessel tracking, and aerial reconnaissance augment these measures.
The cruise industry has been very proactive in its efforts to minimize all types of pollution at sea. We have installed state-of-the-art environmental equipment onboard our vessels. This equipment includes: grinders for food and product waste, separators for galley products and recycling, crushers for glass, aluminum and cardboard materials; incinerators for food, cardboard, paper and other waste by-products; and sophisticated engine room equipment to reduce or eliminate liquid discharge.
CLIA member lines and their employees are firmly committed to eliminating all forms of pollution through improved environmental policies, procedures, and technology. These measures are not only intended to ensure compliance with the stringent domestic and international laws that govern shipboard operations; they are vital to preserving the waters on which we sail.
