Are 'green' cruise ships good for the climate?

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the sustainability challenges facing the cruise industry, including the environmental impact of cruise ships, the industry's efforts to adopt cleaner technologies, and the debate around alternative fuel sources.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Cruise Ship Sustainability

1. What are the key environmental concerns around cruise ships?

• Cruise ships have a significant environmental impact, including air and ocean pollution, as the industry continues to grow in size and scale.
• Cruise ships emit polluting methane and contribute to climate change, even when using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a fuel.
• Cruise ships bring large numbers of tourists to vulnerable locations like the Arctic, putting a strain on local communities and environments.

2. What are some of the efforts by cruise companies to address sustainability?

• Some cruise companies are experimenting with hybrid engines, batteries, and renewable energy sources like solar and wind to power their ships.
• However, the industry is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, and transitioning to truly sustainable alternative fuels remains a major challenge.
• Cruise companies are also facing increasing pressure from port cities to curb pollution and overtourism, with some cities banning cruise ships from their historic centers.

[02] Alternative Fuel Sources

1. What are the alternative fuel options being considered for cruise ships?

• Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is currently the most widely adopted alternative fuel, but it still emits significant amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
• Other alternatives like green ammonia and green methanol are being explored, but they face challenges around availability, cost, and safety concerns.
• Battery power is a viable option for coastal cruises, but has limitations for long-distance ocean voyages.

2. What are the key obstacles to adopting sustainable fuels in the cruise industry?

• The lack of availability and high cost of sustainable alternative fuels is a major barrier for the industry.
• The cruise industry is calling for government support to accelerate the production and adoption of these new fuel technologies.
• There are also concerns around the safety and feasibility of some alternative fuels, like ammonia, for use on passenger ships.