Sebastian Ebel: TUI will achieve climate neutrality before 2050

TUI Cruises has taken another step towards its goal of climate neutral cruises, as the newest member of the fleet, Mein Schiff Relax, was refueled for the first time with bio-LNG (liquefied biomethane) in the port of Barcelona. This is a 100% renewable fuel, produced from organic waste, which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 100%.

At the same time, the ships of TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises have already consumed more than one million kWh of green electricity from shore power in 2025, in 57 ports worldwide.

TUI Group CEO Sebastian Ebel said:

“Until a few years ago, bio-LNG was a vision – today it is a reality. The availability and scale-up of alternative fuels will play a decisive role for climate-neutral cruises by 2050 at the latest. At the same time, we are investing in green electricity, improving energy efficiency and optimizing route planning. With the first bio-LNG delivery, we are confirming our pioneering role in sustainable cruising.”

TUI’s goal is to reduce absolute CO₂e emissions from cruises by 27.5% by 2030 (base year 2019), a commitment that has been validated by the independent Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

Investments in hotels too

TUI Hotels & Resorts has set a target of reducing emissions by 46.2% by 2030, with the spearhead of the same green energy production. Photovoltaic systems are already operating in 19 countries, from Costa Rica and Senegal to Croatia, Thailand and the Maldives.

“Between 2024 and 2028, we will increase electricity production from photovoltaics by eight times. New projects are planned in Greece, Cape Verde and Germany. At the same time, we are examining innovations such as cooling hotels with seawater or producing energy from the plants’ organic waste. We are open to technological solutions and that is why I expect that we will achieve the goal of climate neutrality before 2050,” Ebel underlined.

Sustainable mobility strategy

The group is extending its sustainable strategy to land transport. By 2030, 80-90% of TUI’s vehicle fleet – from company cars and airport vehicles to buses – will be electric. It also plans to install 1,000 electric car chargers in hotels around the world.

Starting this year, a special “TUI Edition” of the electric smart #1 and #3 will also be available in Germany, in collaboration with the smart car manufacturer.