PRINTCruise ships
A cruise ship is an ideal and self-sufficient floating city in constant interaction with the shore. It is designed, built and operated to respect the ecosystems of the regions in which it sails, while safeguarding the health and lives of those who temporarily inhabit it – whether for leisure or work: thousands of people from different countries and cultures, coexisting under its governance framework.
We are committed to developing innovative technologies through the knowledge and expertise acquired over the years, with the aim of contributing to the creation of sustainable products, services, and infrastructures. Our strategies are aligned with the objectives of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) – the United Nations specialized agency for the safety of life at sea and the protection of the marine environment – summarised in the slogan: “Safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean oceans”.
Our vessels stand as technological benchmarks at both the European and global levels, and are characterized by the integration of cutting-edge technologies for energy efficiency, emission reduction, high performance, and superior technical solutions. In particular, we implement all international best practices to minimize the environmental impact of our ships throughout their entire lifecycle.
We also play an active and constructive role in the development of international safety regulations and are a recognized stakeholder of the IMO, whose principal conventions aim to:
• enhance maritime safety (primarily from a safety perspective) – SOLAS;
• limit marine pollution – MARPOL;
• standardize maritime labor regulations – ILO.
Our commitments are aligned with the global and local regulatory frameworks that call for a rapid and progressive reduction of air and water emissions. In particular, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has established targets to reduce average CO₂ intensity per ton-mile by 40% compared to 2008 levels by 2030, and to cut total annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 70% compared to 2008 levels by 2040.
Even more ambitious targets are currently under discussion at both the IMO and European levels. These involve the deployment of new technologies and fuels, as well as a revision of the regulatory framework based on the well-to-wake approach and are directed towards achieving the Net Zero goal by 2050.
As stated in the 2023–2027 Sustainability Plan, Fincantieri has committed to this target and is actively working to anticipate it – wherever feasible in light of available technology, regulations, and supporting infrastructure – with the ambition of reaching it by 2035.
Energy saving and emissions reduction
The reduction of environmental impact has become one of the most significant drivers in the design and innovation of cruise ships.
We have developed, validated, and implemented over 100 initiatives on our vessels aimed at:
• enhancing hydrodynamic and propulsive efficiency;
• harnessing waste heat (from exhaust gases and cooling water) through recovery and cogeneration systems;
• systematically reducing the energy demand of onboard utilities.
Specifically, we have validated and applied a series of measures—outlined in our internal “Eco-Sustainable Design procedure” — designed to support energy savings and reduce atmospheric pollution.
To meet the challenge of reducing emissions, Fincantieri is experimenting with various green technologies, which are described below.
LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS
The most widely adopted configuration for emission reduction currently consists of next-generation diesel engines combined with the installation of exhaust gas cleaning systems.
An alternative solution that is gradually gaining ground is the replacement of conventional fuels with liquefied natural gas (LNG), due to its clear advantages in terms of emissions.
LNG enables a reduction of approximately 25% in CO₂ emissions and over 75% in other particulate emissions.
In recent years, orders for ships with low environmental impact have accelerated, particularly those for dual-fuel ships with LNG primary propulsion. In the past, Fincantieri had already built a special ferry with LNG propulsion for Canada and, in early 2024, delivered a 178,000 GRT cruise ship with LNG as primary fuel, the largest such unit ever produced in Italy.
Fuel cells
The future is moving toward the application of fuel cells – electrochemical conversion devices that generate electricity and heat by combining a fuel (typically hydrogen, methanol, or methane) with an oxidant (oxygen), without combustion. As a result, no pollutants are effectively produced.
We have launched a research laboratory in collaboration with the University of Trieste, aimed at testing power generation systems based on different types of fuel cells.
METHANOL AND AMMONIA
Fincantieri is developing projects for new ships that are preconfigured for the future use of bio or synthetic methanol, intended to fuel a dual-fuel internal combustion engine (methanol/MGO). In both the cruise and offshore sectors, some shipowners have already requested engine readiness for these alternative fuels in addition to traditional ones. Green methanol, in a well-to-wake scenario, represents a promising fuel for achieving net zero targets. Methanol management onboard is comparatively simpler than LNG, as it does not require cryogenic storage technology for handling and usage.
Ammonia is a carbon-free fuel, meaning it does not produce CO₂ emissions during the combustion process. If produced entirely from renewable sources (green ammonia), its well-to-wake cycle ensures zero emissions, contributing to the IMO's Net Zero target. However, due to its toxicity, ammonia cannot yet be considered a viable solution for the cruise market. Nevertheless, Fincantieri is initiating research projects to assess the conditions under which this fuel could potentially be applied in the cruise sector.
HYDROGEN
In April 2025, Fincantieri and Viking announced the world's first cruise ship powered by hydrogen stored on board, used both for propulsion and for generating electricity on board through a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell system. The vessel is currently under construction at Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard, with delivery scheduled for the end of 2026.
Like ammonia, hydrogen is a fuel that, if produced through green processes, allows for zero CO₂ emissions in a well-to-wake approach. However, this remains a long-term pathway, as the technologies involved are still under development and, for the time being, are suitable only for limited operational areas.
It is therefore necessary to continue designing, testing, and implementing systems suited to such energy generation methods (ranging from internal combustion engines to fuel cells), along with their related infrastructure. Lastly, it is essential to promote the development of appropriate safety regulations and define the conditions required to make these new technologies economically self-sustainable, while also ensuring the growth of infrastructure for production, distribution, and storage.
Lithium batteries
Another technology in which we are actively investing is lithium battery systems. In 2021, we established a joint venture with Faist – Power4Future – focused on this specific project. These batteries, in addition to powering vessels operating on short routes, can also contribute to achieving zero emissions in port in the absence of cold ironing infrastructure.
Fincantieri has already tested this technology several years ago by installing a lithium mega-battery system on board two ferries, thereby eliminating the need to operate diesel generators during port stays.
VARD has delivered several small- to medium-sized vessels equipped with electric battery systems capable of covering either the full or partial onboard energy demand and is currently engaged in the development and testing of further innovative solutions.
Cold ironing
One of our objectives is to achieve zero emissions in port by 2030. The solution lies in the implementation of cold ironing – the shore power system that enables the transmission of electricity from land to the ship, allowing onboard engines to be shut down while docked. In addition to reducing pollutant emissions, supplying power from the grid also helps to lower noise pollution and enhances onboard comfort during port stays.
To protect areas subject to cruise navigation, only bacteriologically and chemically pure water may be discharged at sea. All other residues must be stored on board and discharged at port for further treatment.
Our commitment to solid waste management is reflected in a series of measures including collection, dehumidification, and treatment of galley waste; sorting and recycling of hotel waste; compaction and/or incineration of solid waste (where permitted); adoption of low-environmental-impact alternatives to incineration; pelletizing; and storage of residues for subsequent disposal at port.
As for liquid waste, we apply both physical and biological treatment processes (aligned with the highest land-based standards) to all wastewater generated onboard (black water, grey water, galley and laundry effluents); we also store treated water and thicken and dry residual sludge for later disposal at port.
To prevent contamination from species originating in different ecosystems, we sterilize ballast water prior to discharge using next-generation systems based on plankton pre-filtration followed by ultraviolet sterilization.
Naval vessels
The naval defence market, strongly driven by a continuous demand for enhanced effectiveness standards within the international defence sector, represents an increasingly complex challenge. There is a growing need for high-performance operational platforms, integrated with solutions specifically aimed at mitigating environmental impacts.
The new units – some of which are already in active service – feature design solutions focused on reducing environmental impact, including emissions into the atmosphere, fuel consumption, wastewater treatment, the application of specialized hull preservation coatings, and, in the case of certain upcoming deliveries, the ability to isolate a contaminated marine area and collect and store pollutants onboard.
Drawing on our extensive experience with submarines, we are currently conducting studies on the use of fuel cells for power generation on naval vessels.
We are among the few operators capable of designing and building a broad and comprehensive product portfolio that includes surface combatants, auxiliary and special-purpose vessels, and submarines.
Safety is addressed across multiple domains:
• Defence against external threats
• Occupational health and safety
• Maritime safety and reduction of pollutant emissions into water and air
The first domain relates to the concept of Survivability, which follows strictly military standards. In this context, we have developed various software tools to assess ship susceptibility and vulnerability.
The second concerns compliance with Italian Legislative Decree 81/2008 on workplace health and safety, which is considered from the design phase and systematically monitored during construction, up to the issuance of the Risk Assessment Document.
The third refers to adherence to classification society regulations – typically RINA through its specific standards for naval vessels – which certify that ships are designed, built and maintained in a way that minimizes risks to life, the environment, and property. Achieving class certification confirms that all inspections throughout the ship's lifecycle have produced positive outcomes.
Specifically, we are focusing on solutions aimed at:
Energy saving and reduction of emissions
This topic is addressed by introducing energy-saving criteria mainly developed within the field of naval architecture. This involves selecting internal combustion engines – both propulsion engines and power generation units – with appropriate technological solutions, and the use of materials characterized by high energy efficiency or with superior thermal transmission performance.
On the other hand, the specific characteristics of military vessels and the resulting optimized plant solutions to achieve mission performance currently do not allow the introduction of energy recovery systems.
Treatment and storage of solid and liquid waste
Regarding the treatment and storage of solid waste, technological solutions have been entrusted to converters. The use of such machinery enables the drying and sterilization of solid waste. The consequent reduction in volume and weight, along with subsequent automatic vacuum packaging, allows for increased onboard retention. The modern converters adopted achieve volume reduction performance of up to 70% and weight reduction of approximately 30%.
For liquid waste, we have implemented technological solutions in line with international regulations already applied to commercial vessels:
• IMO MEPC 227(62) for the treatment of grey and black water;
• IMO MEPC 107(49) for the treatment of bilge water.
Grey and black water are channeled into dedicated physical and chemical treatment units that enable the maceration of suspended solids and reduction – through aerobic processes – of Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). The process also includes disinfection through UV lamp systems.
Which objectives do we have on this topic?
Innovation, Research and Development: 2023-2027 Sustainability Plan objectives and targets
Investments in research and innovation with the aim of developing sustainable, efficient, safe and competitive products and processes with particular reference to the technologies needed to reduce environmental impact and increase their digitalization
Discover the objectives
Development of smart ships and smart offshore infrastructure and autonomous ships. Development of innovative solutions for shipyards (smart yards)
| Description/Target | Timeline | Perimeter | Status | SDGs |
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• Reference framework for secure interconnection (from a cyber security perspective) of all on-board systems for the exchange/recording of real time data in open formats |
2030 |
Group |
|
 |
Work in progress
Environmental Impact of Products and Services: 2023-2027 Sustainability Plan objectives and targets
Development of ecologically sustainable products and services with the aim of contributing to a circular and low carbon economy
Discover the objectives
Developing high energy-efficient cruise ships powered by eco-friendly/ renewable sources, with reduced environmental impact in terms of atmospheric emissions, discharges at sea and noise (green ships)
| Description/Target | Timeline | Perimeter | Status | SDGs |
|
International Maritime Organization (IMO) target for 2025 (30% reduction in cruise ship EEDI* index compared to IMO baseline ref. EEDI-2008**), corresponding to a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions for the same tonnage and miles travelled at the EEDI index baseline speed
* Energy Efficiency Design Index defined by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) |
2025 |
Fincantieri S.p.A. |
|
 |
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IMO target for 2030 (40% reduction in cruise ship EEDI index compared to IMO baseline ref. EEDI-2008), corresponding to a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions for the same tonnage and miles travelled at the EEDI index baseline speed and zero emissions in port |
2030 |
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Net Zero cruise vessels target |
2050 |
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