Carbon Neutral LLC has confirmed that it is in strategic collaboration discussions with EcoCreation LTD aimed at developing port-based infrastructure to manage hard-to-recycle plastic waste generated by cruise ship operations in the Caribbean and convert it into marine fuel.
Cruise vessels function as self-contained communities, producing significant quantities of solid waste that must be handled in accordance with international maritime conventions and port-state requirements. Plastic waste, particularly mixed, contaminated, and low-value packaging materials, remains among the most difficult streams to manage due to limited recycling pathways and strict prohibitions on overboard discharge. The proposed Carbon Neutral–EcoCreation initiative is structured to support regulatory compliance by diverting qualifying plastic waste into advanced recycling processes, operating under the appropriate permits and environmental safeguards.
The Caribbean’s position as the world’s most active cruise region, characterized by dense vessel traffic, frequent port calls, and high passenger volumes, has been identified as well suited to port-based advanced recycling solutions. Puerto Rico has been selected for the initial phase of deployment, reflecting its role as a major cruise hub, its established port and logistics infrastructure, and its U.S. regulatory environment. The island regularly accommodates vessels from major cruise operators, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC, Disney, Celebrity, and Princess Cruises.
The initiative is aligned with international maritime waste regulations, including IMO MARPOL Annex V, by reinforcing the requirement for ships to retain plastic waste for delivery to approved port reception facilities. Processing waste ashore is intended to strengthen compliance while improving end-of-life outcomes for plastics landed from cruise vessels.
Looking ahead, Carbon Neutral LLC has outlined plans to deploy up to 120 pyrolysis processing facilities at selected Caribbean ports over the next decade, subject to permitting, financing, and final commercial agreements. At full buildout, these facilities are designed to process as much as 300,000 metric tons of plastic waste annually. Based on an estimated yield of 50%, this throughput could produce approximately 150,000 metric tons of pyrolysis oil per year, equivalent to roughly one million barrels, depending on feedstock composition and operating parameters.
At commercial scale, the resulting pyrolysis oil is intended to be used as a substitute or blendstock for residual marine fuels, including Bunker C. When refined or blended to meet applicable fuel standards, it could contribute to reducing reliance on fossil-derived marine fuels while supporting circular-economy objectives within maritime fuel supply chains.
Carbon Neutral’s management has characterized the proposed collaboration as a practical, infrastructure-focused response to one of the cruise industry’s most persistent waste challenges, emphasizing a long-term investment approach intended to deliver scalable facilities that support regulatory compliance and improved waste diversion for cruise operators and port communities throughout the Caribbean.