Cruise Industry Commits to Sustainable Practices

Cruise Industry Commits to Sustainable Practices

“Growth and sustainability go hand

in hand,” said CLIA Global Chair

Adam Goldstein in a keynote speech delivered at both The Economist’s 2019 World Ocean Summit in Abu Dhabi and in Berlin at ITB, the world’s leading travel trade show.

In his remarks, Goldstein highlighted the importance of marrying growth opportunities with sustainability. “With opportunity comes responsibility,” said Goldstein, adding that “the water around and below us, the air above us, the communities around us, the people who work for us: all are critical factors when it comes to planning a sustainable growth strategy for the cruise industry.”

Although the cruise sector only represents 2 percent of the overall travel industry, Goldstein said the industry needs to play a leadership role in sustainable tourism,

“WITH OPPORTUNITY COMES RESPONSIBILITY.”

—ADAM GOLDSTEIN, VICE CHAIRMAN, ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD. AND CLIA GLOBAL CHAIR

outlining a three-pronged strategy based on leadership, stewardship and partnership.

In terms of leadership, CLIA Cruise Lines were the first to commit to emissions targets set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) within the shipping industry. CLIA pledged to advance sustainability

on the seas and to reduce the rate of carbon emissions across the industry fleet by 40 percent by 2030.

“Beyond the pure environmental concerns, the cruise sector is also leading the way on labor convention and being aggressive in gender diversity in the marine division of our ships—which accounts for 15 percent of the people working on the ships—up to and including women who are ship captains,” added Goldstein.

For stewardship, the cruise sector’s sustainability practices include onboard wastewater and sulfur treatment plants, pioneering hull coatings, hull design and air lubrication systems, advanced waste management and recycling systems.

Forging meaningful partnerships is a key step in the sustainability arena, and CLIA Cruise Lines are working with leading NGO’s, such as WWF and GSTC. CLIA

14 SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE

THE CRUISE INDUSTRY LEADS THE WAY in developing exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS), a highly effective technology authorized by IMO, EU, US EPA, and others, and each system approved by Flag state to reduce air pollution from ships. EGCS is just one example of innovative technology fitted by the cruise industry to ensure responsible environmental practices.

EGCS effectively treat engine exhaust to significantly reduce sulfur and particulate matter from air emissions. As an equivalent technology under international regulations, EGCS must achieve air emission reductions that are at least as good as burning highly refined distillate fuels.

Although EGCS designs vary, they commonly rely on the following:

IT’S ALL IN THE NUMBERS!

60% of global cruise capacity utilizes EGCS. EGCS help reduce sulfur oxide levels by as much as 98%, a typical total particulate matter reduction of 50% or more, including elemental and organic carbon and black carbon, and nitrogen oxides by up to 12%.

WHAT WILL YOU SEE?

The treatment of engine exhaust gas by an EGCS generates water vapor which can often be seen as a white plume from the ship’s stack. In cooler climates, the white plume may be more visible and, in near-shore environments with elevated topography and little or no convection, there may be a darker than normal appearance.

Water: Either seawater or fresh water are used to create a fine water mist

Exhaust Cleaning Unit: The fine water is applied to the engine exhaust in an exhaust cleaning unit causing a chemical and mechanical reaction which removes pollutants

OPEN LOOP SYSTEMS

is working with destinations around the world, including sensitive ports of call such as Dubrovnik, Santorini and Barcelona, to ensure that cruise tourism is working for resident communities, destinations and visitors.

Other sustainability efforts include taking action to reduce environmental impact of ships through innovation, such as retrofitting ships with Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems designed to remove 99 percent of sulfur and well over 50 percent of particulate matter, including elemental and organic carbon.

“Sustainability lies at the heart of all we do, and no industry has a stronger interest in protecting oceans and destinations,” continued Goldstein. “Each day across the cruise industry, individual cruise lines are working to improve upon this record through strategic partnerships, new technologies, and bold sustainability commitments. CLIA Cruise Lines are constantly looking for new innovations that will lead to further emissions reduction and advance environmental sustainability.”

Scrubbed Exhaust: The scrubbed exhaust is released to the atmosphere, at times producing a white plume of water vapor

Washwater Treatment: Water used to scrub engine exhaust is drained. For systems operated in open loop mode, the washwater pH is adjusted as needed to meet regulatory standards before discharge. For systems operated in closed loop mode, chemicals can be added for the water to be recirculated for additional exhaust cleaning, or the treated washwater is held for later discharge.

Solid residue: Solids removed during washwater treatment are stored onboard for shoreside disposal

HYBRID LOOP SYSTEMS

CLOSED LOOP SYSTEMS

Source: http://www.egcsa.com/wp-content/uploads/EGCSA-Euroshore-scrubber-water-sampling-Ship-Guide-2016_17.pdf

SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE 15