Ecotourism

Shipshape and Sustainable

Cruise lines set goals to advance decarbonization. BY DEBRA BOKUR

Cleaner Cruising:

Viking Mississippi

PHOTO: © VIKING A s the issue of climate change increasingly overlaps with the world of travel, the cruise industry responds with pledges to protect the planet and waters that provide scaffolding for cruise commerce. A report by Cruise Lines International Association published in April states, worldwide, cruise lines work toward goals that include a 40 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and net-zero carbon cruising by 2050.

The topic of decarbonization joined the zeitgeist, and the International Maritime Organization stated its commitment to join with carbon reduction objectives. Industry-wide, endeavors include implementation of new technologies while continuing the research and development of even better ones, an increase in energy efficiencies, and a shift to alternative and cleaner fuels that include the use of biofuels and Liquified Natural Gas.

Cruise lines are on board. Carnival Corp. — home to brands Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Cunard and P&O Cruises in the United Kingdom and Australia — works to meet goals set by the IMO via responsible energy management and the introduction of new technology to ship operations.

Hurtigruten plans to have its first zero-emissions ships ready to sail by 2030, adding to its already demonstrated efforts toward decarbonization which include the 2019 introduction of MS Roald Amundsen, the first battery hybrid-powered cruise ship in the world. Since then, two additional battery hybrid-powered Hurtigruten ships — MS Fridtjof Nansen and MS Otto Sverdrup — also set sail. By 2023, upgrades to seven ships in the fleet will result in a 25 percent reduction in CO2 emissions and an 80 percent reduction in NOx emissions. What’s more, the brand’s Norwegian Coastal Express ships currently produce zero emissions while in port when utilizing shore power connectivity.

The design of Viking’s fleet of ocean vessels (which feature energy-efficient hulls plus propeller and rudder arrangements and engines with heat recovery systems) enables ships to achieve the best Energy Efficiency Design Index rating in their class, topping IMO requirements by nearly 20 percent. Viking’s ships are also the world’s first newly built vessels featuring closed-loop exhaust cleaning systems specifically designed to remove and safely dispose of pollutants. The company’s Expedition-class ships exceed IMO standards by almost 36 percent. And among the brand’s river ships, Viking Mississippi boasts environmental features such as sophisticated exhaust scrubbing systems that substantially reduce both noise and emissions.

The use of fuel cells to generate all of its power when in port will allow Silversea Cruises’ Silver Nova to be emissions-free during these periods. Lindblad Expeditions declared its intention to be completely carbon neutral through its partnership with South Pole, one of the world’s foremost developers in the field of international emission reduction projects. All these efforts will help the industry navigate toward greener, cleaner cruising.