Green cruises

China's maritime cruise sector is also spearheading green transformation, with Guangzhou's Pearl River night cruise industry standing out. As of July, over 1.7 million visitor trips have been made on the river's battery-powered, zero-emission vessels, making Guangzhou a global leader in eco-friendly urban water tourism.

The Pearl River East Channel — a historic waterway famed for its scenic night cruises — is being transformed into a zero-emission demonstration zone, highlighting how environmental upgrades can go hand in hand with urban tourism.

According to Zhang Ruijie, deputy captain of a maritime patrol team of the Guangzhou Inland Port Maritime Office, the river section has been designated a key emission control zone.

"We've continued to strengthen air pollution prevention for night cruise vessels," he said. "After our interventions, fuel sampling tests on all Pearl River cruise vessels reached a 100 percent compliance rate last year."

He added that the use of high-quality fuel has significantly reduced shipborne air pollution.

To further lower emissions, shore power is being promoted. "We encourage vessels to use shore power while docked to reduce pollution from onboard generators," Zhang said.

Local authorities have also mandated onboard wastewater storage tanks for all cruise vessels, sealed discharge valves and upgraded reception facilities at terminals. Crews can report wastewater disposal needs through a mobile app, allowing terminals to schedule and process waste for onshore treatment. These measures have enabled the Pearl River East Channel to achieve major reductions in both water and air pollution.

In tandem with infrastructure upgrades, Guangzhou is embracing new energy vessels. Battery-powered ships with zero emissions, low noise and lower operating costs, account for a quarter of all cruise vessels in the Pearl River East Channel. That proportion is expected to rise to one-third by the end of the year, as four new electric cruise ships enter service.

As many as 1.1 million tourists will board cruises in Guangzhou this summer, according to the maritime office, with operators planning to build around 30 additional green vessels in the coming years.