The Ocean Fund News

On January 14, 2022 the European Parliament’s Rapporteur, MEP Peter Liese, published his draft report on a proposal to revise the Emissions Trading System (ETS) Directive¹ which forms part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package of climate and energy reforms published on July 14, 2021. The draft report includes a number of ambitious amendments to emissions trading for the maritime sector – the Maritime ETS – which, if agreed, will put more pressure on the maritime industry to switch to cleaner fuels sooner than originally planned.

European lawmakers agreed on Tuesday to include international carbon emissions from the maritime sector in the EU carbon market, targeting an industry that does not yet pay for its pollution.They also called for binding targets for shipping companies to reduce the annual average CO2 emissions of all ships when in operation, by at least 40% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels, going further than an original European Commission proposal.Pollution from ships plying international waters usually escapes countries’ domestic emissions-cutting targets…

Celebrity Equinox becomes third Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Last week, as Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Equinox completed its scheduled drydock in Cadiz, Spain, it joined Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas in a program that tracks ocean circulation dynamics and measures atmospheric and oceanographic conditions, on repeated journeys. According to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., its ships are known for providing vacationers with innovative experiences, extraordinary service and award-winning cuisine as they cross the world’s oceans.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) is pleased to announce that its Marine Safety and Environmental Protection program has received a $25,000 marine conservation grant from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd’s Ocean Fund for a second year in a row. The Academy will use its award to underwrite cooperative education opportunities in training five future maritime safety and environmental officers. On their way to becoming future stewards of our oceans, these cadets will spend their cooperative program aboard cruise ships and commercial ships as assistants to the environmental officers. “We are proud to continue our collaborations with the Academy’s cooperative training program for maritime safety and environmental officers. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

The United States Coast Guard has recognized Celebrity Cruises for its superior environmental operations by awarding the cruise line its 2002 William M. Benkert Award For Environmental Excellence. environmental excellence. standards. The awardees are selected after a competitive evaluation process involving rigorous standards. "I could not be more proud of this accomplishment," said Jack Williams, president and chief operating officer of Celebrity Cruises. award so highly because it is presented by the Coast Guard, which oversees our activities on a daily basis. eight Benkert Awards presented this year. Of the eight award winners, only two companies ranked higher than Celebrity Cruises. Being the first cruise line in the world to use gas-turbine powered cruise ships.

The Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises Ocean Fund awarded $796,000 on March 30 in 15 new grants to marine conservation and environmental organizations, including a $100,000 grant to The Conservation Fund for its Alaska land preservation program and a $100,000 grant to Conservation International for its campaign to conserve Caribbean biodiversity. Almost $9 million has been awarded to 64 non-profit organizations working to protect the marine environment since the fund’s inception in 1996. The mission of the Ocean Fund is to support efforts to restore and maintain a healthy marine environment, minimize the impact of human activity on this environment, and promote awareness of ocean and coastal issues and respect for marine life.