Marella Cruises, in collaboration with Cleaner Seas Group, is rolling out an industry-first initiative to capture microfibres in all laundry systems across its fleet of five ships by September 2025.

This follows a six-month trial on the Marella Explorer, which demonstrated that 99 percent of microfibres were captured.

In May 2024, Marella Cruises installed the first two INDIKON Marine filters in the crew laundry system aboard the Marella Explorer. The filters aim to prevent plastic microfibers from harming marine ecosystems and wildlife.

In addition to ongoing research with the University of Surrey, the Cleaner Seas Group commissioned an independent lab to test the filter’s effectiveness. Samples of laundry wastewater and the filter cartridges were analyzed, showing that 99 percent of microfibres were captured.

Olivia Wells, sustainability manager at Marella Cruises, said: “Installing the INDIKON filters onto our Marella fleet of ships will help prevent microplastics from entering our oceans, which have a negative impact on sea life. Microfibers, recognized as of the largest known source of primary marine microplastic pollution, can carry toxic chemicals that erode into the environment, accounting for 35 percent of the microplastics in the ocean. Our commitment to rolling out INDIKON filters across all laundry machines is a first for the cruise sector, and we hope other cruise lines join in the help to reduce microplastic pollution into our oceans.”

The INDIKON filters, tailored to each ship’s specific needs, will be rolled out across the fleet. TUI Cruises also tested the filters last year.

Research indicates that the filters will capture an estimated 500kg of microfibres per ship each year. This initiative will help prevent microfibre pollution from entering marine ecosystems, with the filters being reusable and recyclable for future use.

Dave Miller, CEO at Cleaner Seas Group, said: “It’s been a huge opportunity to work with Marella Cruises on installing the Cleaner Seas filter range and helping to mitigate their microfibre footprint across their fleet of ships. As we launched our professional filter range the team at Marella have been an awesome partner and supported not only our mission to end ocean pollution but have also set a new course in microplastic prevention at sea. We hope to continue working together across the TUI Group on its microfibre prevention.”