Cruise and Shipbuilding Industries in Focus at TUI Brussels Policy Breakfast - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

The event brought together EU policymakers, cruise and shipbuilding leaders, and regional stakeholders to discuss how Europe’s maritime industries can drive decarbonisation, economic resilience, and industrial innovation.

Cruises as Drivers of Industrial Competitiveness

Europe builds 97% of the world’s cruise ships and supports over 400,000 jobs in advanced industrial ecosystems. Dr Reinhard Lüken, Managing Director of the German Shipyards Association, noted:

“Cruise ships are floating cities of the future—technological flagships that maintain Europe’s global shipbuilding edge.”

However, Dr Lüken warned that cruise ships alone cannot sustain the full industrial value chain. Broader diversification in ship types is essential to maintain Europe's leading role.

TUI Cruises CEO Wybcke Meier added:

“Every cruise ship built in Europe strengthens local supply chains and environmental innovation. To ensure the green transition is viable, production of low-emission fuels must be significantly scaled.”

Green Technology and Smart Regulation

TUI aims to cut cruise emissions by 27.5% by 2030, deploying shore power, retrofits, and alternative fuels like bio-LNG and green methanol. Mein Schiff 7, built in Finland, is the world’s first methanol-ready cruise ship.

Yet port infrastructure lags behind. Despite a 38% increase in shore power usage, many terminals remain unequipped. A new EU Port Strategy is expected to address this gap. Speakers also urged that revenues from the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) be reinvested into green maritime technologies.

MEP Jens Gieseke highlighted the role of the Net Zero Industry Act in unlocking funding and scaling alternative fuel production across Europe.

Regional and Economic Impact

Shipbuilding is a job engine with strong local ties. Gieseke cited Meyer Werft in Lower Saxony as a regional anchor. TUI Cruises alone contributes €53 million annually to European port economies—excluding guest spending. According to CLIA, cruise passengers spend around €700 per person during a seven-day cruise, with more than half returning for longer visits.

Momentum from Rotterdam to Szczecin

The breakfast follows recent political support, including the Szczecin Declaration, adopted by 20 EU member states. The declaration calls on the EU to maintain its shipbuilding base and regain leadership in ferries, shortsea vessels, and floating technologies.

Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas recently summed up the shift:

“This is not just about ships. It’s about innovation, regional development, and Europe’s blue economy.”

TUI’s Call to Action

As the EU advances its Oceans Pact, STIP, and the Draghi Competitiveness Roadmap, TUI urges stronger alignment to secure Europe’s leadership in green, high-value shipbuilding. The industry is ready—with the ships, the skills, and the strategy. Now it needs the support to match.

Image Credit: © TUI Group