Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has showcased cruise lines’ technologies aimed at reducing the industry’s environmental footprint.
“The cruise industry recognises the importance of investing in innovative ship technology to preserve our environment and provide an eco-friendly travel experience,” said Cindy D’Aoust, CLIA president and CEO. “And, with each new build, CLIA Cruise Line members raise the bar for developing environmentally friendly ships.”
CLIA’s members are investing $1 bill in environmental technology, including technologies pioneered by the cruise industry, examples include:
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Air Emissions Reduction: Cruise lines continually innovate to reduce air emissions. One example is exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS), which offer an alternative to the use of low sulfur fuels to satisfy emissions requirements and reduce the level of sulfur oxides in a ship’s exhaust by as much as 98%. Cruise lines pioneered the use of this technology, and others, in the marine environment.
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Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems: In keeping with cruise lines’ continual focus on best practices that often exceed regulatory requirements, CLIA’s deepsea Cruise Line members have committed to not discharging untreated sewage anywhere in the world. Many cruise lines operate advanced wastewater treatment systems (AWTS) to treat wastewater beyond the requirements of most waste treatment facilities of coastal cities.
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Solar Panels: To improve fuel efficiency and keep cruising eco-friendly, some cruise lines use solar energy to power certain ship’s equipment. Since cruise ships spend significant time under the sun, solar panels are a logical source of supplementary energy for ships, as practical with a vessel’s design. Installation of solar panels can generate clean energy power and decrease dependence on fuel-generated electricity to help run ship systems including lighting.
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Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems: Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems require significant amounts of energy. Since most members’ itineraries involve warmer environments, the energy consumption of air conditioning systems is an important target of ship-board efficiency efforts. Newer ship systems are designed to pump only the amount of chilled water required for the cooling demand, which results in significant energy savings.
Technologies for Use of LNG as an Alternative Fuel: Cruise lines are launching ships powered by LNG, eliminating soot particles and sulfur oxides, to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. For newly launched vessels, new dual-fuel engines allow for the efficient and effective use of multiple fuels, such as LNG and traditional fuel oils. Innovations in tank design and placement has also allowed for safe storage of LNG on board. To date, seven cruise lines have announced plans to build up to 16 LNG-powered cruise ships, with the first expected in service in 2019.
