Fuels
Other cruise lines are following in Disney’s footsteps by integrating vessel designs with technologies that enhance energy efficiency and sustainability.
Challenges of alternatives However, several challenges with alternative fuels persist, such as limited bunkering locations that obstruct the adoption of LNG cruise ships, often leading to delays. While plans are under way to develop additional facilities to accommodate these vessels, the lack of existing infrastructure discourages companies from investing in LNG vessels. The industry is investing in this area, with APAC’s first LNG bunkering for cruise passenger ships successfully completed at Singapore Cruise Centre in February. LNG vessels also tend to be more expensive due to dual-fuel engine requirements, which are not compatible with existing fuel oil or diesel engines. These vessels also require more on-board space for fuel storage. Minimising methane slip from dual- fuel LNG engines is crucial to reduce their overall greenhouse gas emissions.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) estimates that 60% of ships set to launch between 2023 and 2028 will use LNG fuel for their primary propulsion. Long-term, LNG-fuelled vessels and the associated infrastructure can utilise and deliver bioLNG (biofuel) and renewable synthetic LNG as alternatives become more widely available. Shore power, allowing ships to connect to local electrical grids while in port, is crucial in reducing emissions, but the availability of its infrastructure varies globally, with few ports able to support this technology. Ongoing investments aim to expand shore power capabilities for more ships to benefit from this cleaner energy source when docked. “Using shoreside electricity to power our ships in port is an integral part of our global strategy to reduce GHG emissions and minimise our environmental footprint,” said Carnival Corporation chief executive Josh Weinstein. “It’s been over 20 years since our company first pioneered shore
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power for the cruise industry, yet adoption remains limited to just 2% of cruise ports worldwide.”
Greenwashing concerns While many companies are investing in greener technologies and fuels, concerns about greenwashing also persist. In one case, the Dutch Advertising Board found the Swiss-Italian firm MSC Cruise made false environmental claims in its targets to meet ‘net zero by 2050’, highlighting the need for transparency and genuine efforts in sustainability initiatives, in one of the first decisions against a cruise operator following a greenwashing complaint. MSC responded, saying it welcomed some parts of the decision and had “already implemented most of the changes advised”. The cruise industry is facing increased scrutiny regarding greenwashing. Despite Disney revealing that its cruise line repeatedly overstated its emissions in filings due to a systematic error, which led to results being 35 times higher than reality, the international environmental organisation Friends of the Earth awarded Disney an ‘A’ rating in transparency, with an overall ranking of ‘B’ amid the 21 major cruise line operators, placing it in the top three. It is important to remember the emission error when considering their transparency rating. Cruise operators continue to embark on sustainability journeys, following in Disney’s footsteps by integrating vessel designs with cutting- edge innovations and technologies that significantly enhance energy efficiency and sustainability. But standards and regulations boards will warrant further scrutiny for operators to remain authentic in their environmentally responsible operations and sustainability practices. ●
World Cruise Industry Review /
www.worldcruiseindustryreview.com
MartinLueke/
Shutterstock.com
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