"The cruise industry will be 100% decarbonised by 2050"

The second day of the seminar on the “Socioeconomic and blue economy impact in the nautical and cruise sector” reveals the sector’s environmental strategies

The meeting took place this Tuesday, 17 October, at the Teatret del Serrallo

The cruise and sports boating sector is committed to and proactive in moving towards sustainability

The Teatret del Serrallo was today the scene of the second day of the "Socioeconomic and blue economy impact in the nautical and cruise sector ". With 17 speakers participating in two round tables and six presentations, the conference highlighted how the cruise and nautical sector plays an increasingly important role in sustainable economic growth.

A sector in full transition

Eduard Rovira, vice-president of the Provincial Government of Tarragona Tourism Board, was in charge of opening the conference and did so by highlighting the role of cruise passengers arriving in Tarragona, thus making the region known.

Beatriz Orejudo, Director General of Lantimar Group, gave the first of the presentations, in which she explained how sustainability has been a key issue for shipping agents after the pandemic.

Next, Carmen Fernández, Director General - Crew Management and Consulting, changed the focus to highlight the importance of workers in the cruise industry, an invisible but fundamental task both on board and on land.

The last of the presentations before the first round table was given by Fernando Muñoz Bozzo, head of operations of the Cartagena Port Authority. He explained the similarities between the two cities, and how the port city of Murcia has made the transformation towards a model more focused on tourism, with a  Port-City integration.

Cruise round table

The cruise industry is immersed in a period of transition towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly model. In this regard, the round table was moderated by Virginia López Valiente, general manager of Cruises News Media Group, Fernando Pacheco, General Manager of Explora Journeys, José Luís Gómez, commercial representative for Catalonia of Princess Cruises-Mundomar Cruceros, Irina Solomatina , director of operations Shorex-BC Tours, Beatriz Orejudo, general director of Lantimar Group and Alba Colet, commercial director of Tarragona Cruise Port.

Pacheco highlighted the importance of harmony between cities and cruise ships and how technology is advancing to reduce pollution and the impact it generates on the environment, with the goal that by 2050 this industry will become 100% clean.

In turn, Gómez valued cooperation with local companies for small-format cruises. In a more environmental approach, the commercial representative for Catalonia of Princess Cruises-Mundomar Cruceros explained how the pandemic served to withdraw the most inefficient cruises to acquire new, more sustainable ones. For his part, Solomatina explained how land transport services for cruises have evolved to be more sustainable, and where some cruise passengers demand the use of bicycles to move around the cities they visit.

For her part, Alba Colet explained the latest progress in the construction of the new cruise terminal for the Baleares Wharf. At the moment it is being built in modules in Almeria, and according to Colet, the terminal is scheduled to be operational before summer 2024. Colet also highlighted that the expenditure of cruise passengers in transit who visit Tarragona is an average of €18.

A second part focused on pleasure boating

Marta Spreafico, head of the Yachting & TPA department at Lantimar Yachting, was in charge of inaugurating the second part of the conference with a presentation on the consignment of yachts. Spreafico wished to highlight the human treatment with which they address their customers to mark the differences.

The second round table of the day entitled "The economic and social impact of recreational nautical activity" was chaired by Miquel Àngel Lliteras, manager of Pendennis Grand Marina Vilanova, Marta Spreafico, Rafael Aznar, general manager of D-Marín España and Ana Conesa, MARPOL product manager of TRADEBE, all moderated by Eva Miquel, partner-director of aWp Services.

Aznar emphasised how innovation and sustainability are fundamental factors for his company. For her part, Conesa has explained the importance of managing ship waste in ports to prevent it ending up in the sea. While Lliteras has highlighted how the new training programmes have allowed the sector to be nourished by more qualified professional profiles.

The event was closed by the mayor of Tarragona, Ruben Viñuales, who highlighted the cooperation between the City Council and the Port, stressing that Tarragona is a seaside city.