A new briefing from Transport & Environment (T&E) highlights how plans to expand the UK’s cruise sector could significantly worsen air pollution in coastal communities.
In September, the government unveiled The Cruise Growth Plan to help the industry overcome barriers to growth. Notably the plan failed to mention emissions once and it is this disconnect that has led to T&E, along with Opportunity Green, calling on Keir Mather MP to ‘back clear, enforceable regulation so any cruise growth is firmly aligned with clean air and climate commitments, rather than undermining them.’
Cruise ships are responsible for a disproportionate level of pollution at the UK’s busiest ports. In Southampton, the country’s largest and most polluted cruise hub, just 46 cruise ships produced more sulphur oxide (SOx) in 2022 than 200 containerships.
The vessels were also responsible for more than half of the port’s nitrogen oxide (NOx) and PM2.5 emissions due to long periods spent berthed running power-hungry onboard systems.
In 2022, Europe’s 218 cruise ships emitted more SOx than one billion cars, underscoring the sector’s significant public-health footprint.
Southampton and Belfast – receiving 468 and 125 cruise calls respectively in 2024 – are the first and second most polluted UK ports for SOx, NOx and PM2.5.
Invergordon, Kirkwall, Greenock and Stornoway also feature among the worst-affected locations, highlighting that not only major cities but also small coastal towns face severe exposure.
The Cruise Growth Plan aims to support rising passenger numbers – already up 20% from pre-pandemic levels – and align the sector with the UK’s target of attracting 50 million inbound tourists by 2030. While the document outlines economic and skills-focused priorities, its only environmental commitment concerns developing green-transition skills, with no concrete measures to limit emissions in port.
The absence of pollution-mitigation policies risks placing an unfair and escalating health burden on coastal communities, many of which are already economically disadvantaged. T&E argues that without rapid implementation of actions outlined in the government’s existing Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy – including onshore power, stringent fuel standards and tighter emissions regulations – pollution will rise sharply as cruise numbers grow.
Port pollution varies depending on vessel size, visit frequency, duration of stay and whether ports fall within Sulphur Emission Control Areas. However, T&E stresses that harmful emissions remain significant across all port types and must be addressed urgently.
T&E UK’s Sustainable Shipping Senior Officer Ariana Makinson, said: ‘Since 2015, the North Sea and English Channel have been designated Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECAs), requiring ships to use low-sulphur fuels to cut harmful emissions. Yet this is clearly not enough, with cruise ships burning dirty fuels while idling in ports continue to choke coastal communities and jeopardising public health. Pushing forward with unchecked cruise growth without robust, enforceable regulations to slash emissions is not only an oversight, it is a threat to lives and local environments.
‘The impact on coastal communities from cruises is clear. Now it is time for action to cut cruise pollution, not increase it. As well as policies to require the use and supply of electricity in ports so cruises don’t have to burn fossil fuels the government needs to bring forward fuel policies to cut climate emissions from the sector. These steps are vital to ensure cruise growth does not come at the expense of public health and local environments.’
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