Answering to the growing number of costumers recorded in 2024, reaching over 32 million people choosing cruising for their holidays, 51 ships are scheduled for delivery between 2024 and 2028. Of these, 7 out of 10 will be powered by alternative fuels exclusively (e.g. LNG, bio-ethanol) or combined by multiple solutions, both alternative (e.g. LNG and hydrogen) and traditional (bio-ethanol and maritime diesel). 

In 2025, the delivery of the greatest number of units is expected (18 in total) and, consequently, also the introduction of a significant number of new beds (40% of the total 110,000 expected in the years taken into consideration).

By dividing the units expected to be delivered based on capacity, it is highlighted that the high number of small ships, under 1000 passengers, equal to over half of the orders between 2024 and 2028 (51%). The demand for large tonnage ships (>3000 pax) is less marked but still present, which in the years taken into consideration represents 33% of the total (with a peak in 2025, equal to 8 ships expected to be delivered).

In 2023, Barcelona confirmed itself as the first port in the Med area, with approximately 250,000 more passengers compared to Civitavecchia, in second place. While the Spanish port was slightly decreasing in ship calls, the Italian port increased by +3.3%. The podium was completed with Marseille, with an increase in passengers by +76.3%. Overall, in 2023 there were over 25.8 million passengers welcomed by the top 20 ports in the Mediterranean, with 9,000 calls and with all ports recording growth in the number of passengers, a trend for the entire Mediterranean.

As in many other industries, modern technology has significantly revolutionized the cruise industry. This includes more widespread use of smart devices powered by the Internet of Things and a greater reliance on artificial intelligence, machine learning and software packages designed to support automation. This trend is in line with ECO-CRUISING FU_TOUR's activities, from the topics covered in the free Capacity Building Programme, to the activities included in the eco-smart package "Cruise, Green and Fun" now available for download at the following link.