Attending the CLIA Summit this year was both inspiring and thought-provoking. It’s always a pleasure to connect with fellow professionals in the cruise industry and see so many clients, colleagues, and partners gathered in one place. The discussions this year were incredibly impactful, focusing on sustainability, traceability, and how our industry is evolving to meet new environmental and regulatory challenges.
A Growing Focus on Technical Excellence and Collaborative Learning
One of the standout aspects of the summit was how technically advanced our conversations have become. As a collective, we’re diving deeper into complex topics like emission reductions, fuel alternatives, and supply chain transparency. This shift isn’t just about staying compliant; it’s about pushing ourselves to innovate and drive meaningful change. Being part of these discussions reinforces my pride in True Grade’s role in bringing sustainable, traceable solutions to the table.
Net-Zero by 2050: The Industry’s Ambitious Goals
Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 was a major theme throughout the summit. Cruise lines are exploring various paths to reduce their carbon footprint, from using LNG (liquefied natural gas) to experimenting with biofuels and even methanol. For example, Carnival is already operating 10 LNG-powered ships, which account for 20% of their fleet capacity. However, challenges around the availability and cost of alternative fuels remain.
While LNG is seen as a bridge solution, the industry is also looking into longer-term options like hydrogen and carbon capture. As James Wells, SVP of Global Supply Chain at Royal Caribbean Group, emphasized, “The larger your business becomes, the more integrated you need to be.” This focus on a cohesive, data-driven approach is essential as we move forward.
Harnessing AI for Sustainable Supply Chain Management
Sustainability isn’t just about reducing emissions; it also involves improving demand forecasting and minimizing waste. This theme resonated strongly during the summit, especially in the context of supply chain management. James Wells highlighted the importance of integrating systems to reduce food waste and better align supply with demand.
However, as Paolo Raia, Supply Chain Director at Costa Cruises, pointed out, “The challenge is gathering all this data and finding ways to interconnect it.” Without unified systems, AI’s potential remains untapped. This makes it crucial for the industry to adopt tools that enable seamless data connectivity across the supply chain.
Sustainability Commitments and Economic Impact
The cruise industry is increasingly recognized as a solution provider, not just a mode of transportation. This year’s summit highlighted the industry’s economic impact, which reached $168.6 billion in 2023, supporting millions of jobs globally. This scale of impact underscores why the shift toward sustainability is vital.
New cruise ship builds are focusing on LNG and methanol, with 60% of new builds favoring these cleaner fuels. Paolo Raia suggested, “We should improve and adapt products to where they are,” emphasizing the importance of localized sourcing to reduce environmental impact. This approach aligns perfectly with the cruise industry’s commitment to responsible sourcing and sustainable practices.
A Standout Session: Carbon-Neutral Coffee and Innovative Practices
One of the most memorable presentations came from Serge Picard, President of Cafe William, who shared his journey toward creating a carbon-neutral coffee supply chain. Serge’s innovative approach includes using sailboats and hydroelectric-powered operations to reduce energy consumption by 15% to 20%, significantly lowering their reliance on fossil fuels. His dedication to changing how things are done was truly inspiring, setting an example for all of us to consider more sustainable approaches.
Driving Supply Chain Transparency: True Grade's Commitment to Sustainability and Traceability
Data and traceability are key challenges in the cruise industry, but at True Grade, we address these through Wholechain. This platform allows us to create a unified data system where information is easily accessible, verified, and compliant with FSMA 204.
Insights from the summit’s Supply Chain Workshop reaffirmed our commitment to sustainability. As cruise lines adopt certifications like GlobalG.A.P., MSC, and ASC, True Grade stays ahead by using Wholechain to ensure full traceability and global compliance.
Mark Kaplan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Wholechain, emphasized, “The simplest actions can be the most impactful.” By following clear data practices, we build trust and transparency, ensuring our partners receive products that meet the highest sustainability standards.
Looking Ahead
Leaving the CLIA Summit, I felt a renewed sense of pride in True Grade’s contributions to the cruise industry. Witnessing the dedication of colleagues, partners, and leaders committed to driving positive change was incredibly rewarding. Special thanks to Carla Guilbaud, Director of Corporate Affairs at CLIA, Mark Kaplan, and Kelly Craighead, CLIA President & CEO, for expertly moderating discussions that brought out the best ideas and insights.
Looking forward, we’re excited to continue our journey alongside such dedicated industry leaders. If you’re a supplier or partner eager to align with the future of the cruise industry, let’s connect. Together, we can build a sustainable, transparent future for our supply chains.
