A new report published by Transport and Environment (T&E) points to a significant cost for the environment as a result of larger cruise ships and more frequent cruise-based vacations.
The report estimates that cruise ships are twice as big as they were nearly 25 years ago, in 2000. Estimates say cruise ships could reach 345,000 gross tonnages in the next 25 years. Today, there are 515 cruise ships in service, with carbon emissions up 20% in the last few years.
The world’s largest cruise ship Icon of the Seas debuted earlier this year and carries 7,600 passengers. But a cruise ship that large comes at a terrible cost for the environment with so much emissions released.
Is Liquified Natural Gas the Answer?
With carbon emissions being something that the shipping and business world is heavily scrutinizing, ship operators have moved to Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) instead of diesel and other fuels. LNG releases less carbon emissions, but more methane emissions.
Additionally, there is a more costly start up for LNG-powered ships, as LNG bunkering facilities are harder to find, the gas must be stored at very cold temperatures in specialized tanks that are expensive, and more safety measures must be implemented due to LNG’s flammability.
What’s to come in the future for cruise ships?
Environmental sustainability and greener shipping practices will continue to be highly sought after by cruise ship builders and operators. Hydrogen will continue to be looked into and researched as a possible fuel source with zero emissions. Wind power is starting to be utilized on vessels and its only a matter of time before wind sails are tried out on cruise ships. Solar panels are also being deployed in pilot test programs.
Plus, with smart technology, artificial intelligence, and new waste management solutions, sustainability on cruise ships will likely make significant progress over the next 25 years. This means the carbon emission may, thankfully, become a thing of the past.
