By
Laura Hyde |
Costa Cruises’ flagship vessel, Costa Smeralda, has successfully completed its first LNG bunkering at the port of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. It is also the first time a cruise ship has been refuelled with LNG at the port.
On 4 January 2025, Costa Smeralda’s three tanks were filled with around 3,000 cubic metres of LNG, which produces up to 20 per cent less carbon emissions compared to traditional fuel. Fuelling all three tanks with LNG will power Costa Smeralda for at least two-and-a-half-weeks.
“Costa, as part of Carnival Corporation, is committed to leading the way in sustainable cruising,” said Giuseppe Carino, senior vice president of sea-land experience operations at Costa Cruises. “After being the first to introduce LNG in cruises, together with our sister brand AIDA Cruises, we are now also the first cruise line to use this technology in Dubai. On this direction, we are also developing the shore power technology on our fleet, and working on biofuels, new technologies and alternative fuels.”
Costa Smeralda has three LNG fuel tanks onboard
As well as LNG fuel tanks, Costa Smeralda has a number of additional sustainability features onboard, including desalinators which convert sea water into safe drinking water for guests and crew, energy-saving technologies that deliver an average of five to six per cent fuel savings, and separate waste collection and recycling systems.
Costa Smeralda will spend the winter season offering one-week cruises from Dubai. On 1 March 2025 the ship is scheduled to depart Dubai on a 37-day repositioning cruise calling at Oman, Mauritius, South Africa, Namibia, the Canary Islands, Morocco, Spain and Corsica in France, before arriving in Genoa, Italy, on 7 April, ready for a summer season in the Mediterranean.