By
Alex Smith |
Carnival Corporation has projected that it will achieve an overall 18 per cent in greenhouse gas emission intensity in 2024 compared to 2019, just short of its 20 per cent reduction goal originally targeted for 2030.
The cruise company decided in 2023 to accelerate the goal by four years and is now on track to meet the goal in 2026. In total, Carnival Corporation is producing over 10 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions than during its peak in 2011, despite increasing capacity by approximately 30 per cent. It aims to achieve net zero emissions from ship operations by 2050.
Carnival has implemented several fuel- and energy-saving innovations across its fleet, including modern HVAC systems, LED and smart lighting technologies, remote monitoring improvements and more to reduce fuel usage by five to 10 per cent per ship. It has also made efforts to optimise its hull design and coatings to minimise drag and deliver greater fuel efficiency.
The company has also looked to develop more energy-efficient itineraries, fine-tune hydrodynamics, and use ocean currents and techniques such as weather routing and speed reduction where possible. Over 60 per cent of the company’s ships are now equipped to use shoreside electric power capabilities when available in port, and Carnival has installed air lubrication systems to help ships glide on a cushion of air bubbles with less friction, reducing fuel use for propulsion by up to five per cent.
Carnival Corporation is also exploring new technologies to power its ships. The company has nine LNG-capable ships and two more on order, and has installed advanced air quality systems to remove particular matter and other compounds from ships’ exhaust. It is also trialling fuel technologies, including a lithium-ion battery storage system, fuel cells powered by hydrogen derived from methanol, and biofuels.