Cruise lines have made great strides towards becoming a greener industry in recent years.
With the switch to cleaner marine fuels, more ports providing onshore power, and investment in newer, cleaner cruise ships, the cruise industry has undoubtedly listened to the mass criticism it has received over the last 20-30 years. I’m here.
But the commitment to be fully carbon neutral by 2050 still has a lot of work to do. The transition to fuels such as LNG is undoubtedly something more cruise lines need, according to CLIA, an organization that represents the cruise industry, but not everyone knows his LNG benefits for the environment. I’m not sure.
Cruise industry on track for 2050 goals
Over the years, cruise ships have become more environmentally friendly and the cruise industry has worked hard to do even better.
Compared to 10 or 20 years ago, the sight of a cruise ship coming into port blowing out its chimney and spewing out black smoke has become much less common. It is definitely something to be grateful for.
CLIA, the Cruise Lines International Association, has released its 2022 Report on Environmental Technologies and Practices in the Global Cruise Industry, highlighting the industry’s progress to date. If we are to reach our goal of being net zero carbon globally by 2050, we need to move forward.
Over the years, we have seen several innovations brought to cruise liners that show that change is no longer a “dirty” word in the cruise industry. Instead, it is acceptable.
Changes include moving to LNG powered cruise shipadvanced exhaust cleaning systems, filtration and sewage systems that clean up to 100% of wastewater, and even fuel cell technology.
CLIA President and CEO Kelly Craighead said: “Innovation and engineering are at the heart of the industry’s vision for net zero carbon cruising. We continue to lead the way by accelerating the development of engines that can power and enable shore power connectivity for existing and new ships.”
“These are the fundamental building blocks of decarbonizing global shipping, and we are acting now for the future.”
Cruise ports also play a role, providing shore power so cruise ships can turn their engines off while docked. will be
Is LNG good?
So is it all good? Indeed, the efforts of the cruise industry are evident. But some opponents, especially he, say the transition to LNG will not be as effective as advertised. Large amounts of methane are produced during the production and use of LNG, a much more dangerous greenhouse gas.
Researcher at the Institute of Energy, University College London found in 2018 that “no significant CO2 equivalent reductions are achieved using LNG as a marine fuel”.
This is also why Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said it would not introduce LNG on its ships. The company is looking at methanol as a viable fuel to power its ships. Other cruise lines are turning to biofuels. or fuel cellall options that seem to be better options than LNG.
Another issue is the use of onshore power. The principle is workable, but the question is where this power comes from. As Norwegian Cruises’ line president Harry Sommer said at a conference in New York last week, it all comes down to how that power is generated.
“If they are using coal-fired power, coastal power does nothing. It just shifts the carbon footprint elsewhere. We want to be very cautious about using shore power where we are.”
Government and cruise industry must work together
In conclusion, more environmentally friendly And a friendly cruise industry. But the pace of change is slow, and major innovations are needed before a 5,000-passenger cruise ship can sail without being adversely affected.
“The cruise industry has always been and will continue to be on the cutting edge of innovation when it comes to environmental and marine technology.” CLIA Global Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said:
“The next phase of our journey to net zero as an industry will require clear support from governments and policy makers to ensure that adequate infrastructure is developed on land as well, and to support future developments. It will drive the investment and innovation needed to develop sustainable marine fuels at scale.”
Technology exists. There is a way for cruise ships to have a net zero carbon footprint. But creating the infrastructure that would allow hundreds of cruise ships around the world to refuel with biofuels, methanol and even hydrogen would require huge investments from both the cruise industry and governments. increase. And that could take years.
