29 April 2024

LNG: [not] a good idea?

How cruise companies wrongly promote LNG as a climate solution


Despite being touted as a 'climate-friendly' shipping fuel, LNG is increasingly recognised as having detrimental effects on the climate. Mainly composed of methane, fossil LNG has a significantly higher impact on climate change than carbon dioxide, with effects over 80 times greater over a 20-year period. Due methane leaks, research shows that the use of fossil LNG is more polluting for the climate than conventional maritime fuels for cruises.


Our report "LNG [G]een goed idee - Hoe aanbieders van cruisereizen LNG ten onrechte aanprijzen als een klimaatoplossing” (in Dutch) provides an analysis of the impact that the use of LNG as a fuel in cruise ships has on the climate and local communities. The report reveals the shear contrast between this analysis and the way the cruise industry portrays LNG as a climate-friendly solution. This is demonstrated by a case study of the marketing communications of MSC Cruises and its partners in the Netherlands: Cruise Port Rotterdam, Cruisewinkel.nl, and TUI.


The report identifies five communication strategies, potentially breaching Dutch advertising rules. MSC Cruises:

1) implies that the introduction of LNG-powered cruise ships enables sustainable travel

2) claims that LNG is an innovative, environmentally friendly, cleaner fuel/technology compared to conventional ship fuels

3) suggests that the use of LNG in cruise ships reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20%

4) emphasises its commitment to protecting the planet and oceans in its communications 

5) states its aim to become a net-zero emissions company by 2050 and presents LNG as part of its net-zero ambition and plan.


In response to the report's findings, Advocates for the Future, in collaboration with Fossielvrij NL and Reclamejagers, has filed a complaint with the Reclame Code Commissie (RCC) against MSC Cruises on 29 April 2024, to try to put an end to this apparent LNG greenwashing which is potentially misleading consumers.


For more information, download the report below.


Publications

Letter to Rotterdam city council

We presented our report "LNG [G]een goed idee - Hoe aanbieders van cruisereizen LNG ten onrechte aanprijzen als een klimaatoplossing” (in Dutch) to the Rotterdam city council. We are calling upon the members of the city council to take note of the report's findings and to develop policies contributing to genuinely sustainable solutions. You can read our letter to the members of the Rotterdam city council here.


Report: impact of LNG in cruiseships

Our report "LNG [G]een goed idee - Hoe aanbieders van cruisereizen LNG ten onrechte aanprijzen als een klimaatoplossing” (in Dutch) provides an analysis of the detrimental impact that the use of LNG as a fuel in cruise ships has on climate change. You can read the report here.



Greenwashing complaint to Advertising Code Committee

Our complaint to the Advertising Code Committee seeks to address claims by MSC Cruises  which present LNG as a solution to the climate crisis, which is potentially misleading consumers. You can read the complaint here.