Corporation on track to meet its aim of deploying systems on 85 vessels across its brands by 2020
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Carnival Corporation has now installed exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) on 60 ships across its 10 cruise brands, putting it on track to meet its aim of deploying systems on 85 vessels by 2020.
In 2013, Carnival Corporation engineered a proprietary technology to reduce sulphur compounds and particulate matter from engine exhaust gases while its ships were at sea, manoeuvring, or berthed in port. The scrubbers mitigate costs for low-sulphur fuel and enable Carnival Corporation to comply with international 0.1%. sulphur emissions regulations.
To date, Carnival Corporation has invested US$400 million to fit and certify scrubbers on 17 Carnival Cruise Line vessels, 13 Holland America Line, 10 Princess Cruises vessels, seven Costa Cruises vessels, five AIDA Cruises vessels, four P&O Cruises UK vessels, three Cunard vessels and one P&O Cruises Australia vessel.
“Our exhaust gas cleaning systems represent advanced environmental technology, and underscore our company’s strong commitment to responsible sustainability practices,” said Mike Kaczmarek, vice president of corporate marine technology for Carnival Corporation. “Due to the success we have had with improving air quality with our systems, we have expanded our commitment to install and deploy this technology from an original 32 vessels to over 85 by the end of 2020. This is part of our ongoing focus on evaluating new technologies, employing new shipbuilding techniques and implementing energy-saving initiatives throughout our fleet to protect the health and vitality of the oceans, seas and communities in which we operate.”
Carnival Corporation’s sulphur reduction programme is in line with the organisation’s other carbo reduction initiatives. In 2015, AIDA Cruises’ AIDAsol was the first cruise ship in the world to be supplied with power by an LNG Hybrid barge and in 2016, AIDAprima debuted as the first to routinely use LNG with a dual-fuel powered engine while in port. In 2019, Carnival Corporation will launch the first of seven fully LNG-powered vessels and become the only cruise company in the world to use LNG to power ships in port and at sea.
“With the International Maritime Organization, the Cruise Lines Industry Association and various government organisations all calling for improved efficiency in clean operations, we see the installation of exhaust cleaning systems and use of clean fuels as steps to future-proof our fleet,” said Kaczmarek. “We are proud to be ahead of the curve in meeting the upcoming regulations and guidelines.”