Clia Europe has hailed Disney Cruise Line’s decision to power its new ship using green methanol as an “exciting development”.
Marie-Caroline Laurent, Clia Europe director general, described green methanol as a “promising” fuel type that had “great potential”, along with other renewable fuels.
Green methanol is a biogas that could potentially replace liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the cleanest fuel available to cruise lines at scale.
More: Clia calls for government support to develop sustainable marine fuels
By 2028, 32 of Clia members’ 279 vessels will be powered by LNG.
Disney Cruise Line said it expects recently-acquired Global Dream to be among the first cruise ships to use low-emission green methanol when it launches in 2025.
The line will work with the Meyer Werft shipbuilding firm in Germany to finish constructing the partially-built vessel, which was left uncompleted following the failure of Genting Hong Kong this year. Disney is also expected to rename the ship.
On Disney’s fuel decision, Laurent said: “It is an exciting development that shows the variety of the solutions available for the rapid decarbonisation of our industry.
“This shows cruise companies are ready and are making investments today, not in 30 years’ time.”
However, Laurent added: “We need to continue working with regulators and ports to secure the supply of these fuels to the cruise lines.
“The good thing about methanol is that the infrastructure, in theory, is already available as it is a fuel which is already being used.”
Linden Coppell, MSC Cruises’ sustainability director, echoed Laurent’s comments on green methanol, saying it was “a good solution” to help decarbonise ships.
“You can modify engines to use green methanol,” she added.
Coppell said she saw “a great level of engagement” from the trade on sustainability tours of MSC World Europa in Doha, Qatar, this month. The 6,774-passenger ship features solid oxide fuel cell technology to generate electricity powered by LNG.
“Going forward, it will be about looking at how we can best communicate this sustainability message with agents,” Coppell added.
Travel Village Group managing director John Warr, who took part in a tour, said: “If I am going to ask our sales team to talk about sustainability, I need to understand it myself.”
More: Clia calls for government support to develop sustainable marine fuels