Carnival Corporation aims to have almost a quarter of its fleet capacity powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) by 2025.
The world’s largest cruise company has eight LNG-capable ships in service with three more on order to account for 20% of overall capacity in two years time.
Those in service include Iona and Arvia, the latest additions to the P&O Cruises fleet, plus new Carnival Cruise Line vessels such as Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration.
Carnival Corporation claims to be the only major cruise operator producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions today than in 2011, despite adding substantial capacity to its fleet since then.
The company’s newly released 2022 sustainability report outlines “strong momentum” from a four-part decarbonisation strategy comprising fleet optimisation, energy efficiency, new technologies and alternative fuels.
The initiatives are collectively expected to drive a 15% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions per available lower berth day this year compared to pre-pandemic 2019.
Additionally, more than half (57%) of the global fleet is now able to ‘plug in’ to reduce emissions and noise in port where connections to electric power are available.
More than $100 million in annual fuel cost savings is expected through the introduction of ‘eco-friendly’ upgrades to cut average fuel consumption per ship by 5%.
Biofuels are also being tested as a replacement for fossil fuel with trials on German brand Aida Cruises’ Aidaprima and Holland America Line’s Volendam.
A lithium-ion battery storage system – claimed as the world’s largest ever battery installation on a passenger ship – is also being piloted on Aidaprima, while fuel cell technology using methanol-derived hydrogen is being pioneered on Aidanova.
The use of Air Lubrication Systems, designed to help ships “glide on air bubbles” to cut friction by 5%, save on fuel consumption and reduce emissions, is being expanded from five vessels. Six more are having the technology installed plus eight on order.
The report also states that single-use plastic has been reduced by more than 50% with the removal of over 500 million items since 2018 to be replaced with sustainable alternatives.
Collaboration with supply chain partners has seen more bulk purchases instead of buying single-use containers and reducing packaging volumes.
Carnival Corporation chief executive and chief climate officer Josh Weinstein said: “As the global leader in the cruise industry, we are setting the pace with the industry’s smartest solutions for sustainable cruising that will help deliver on our aggressive roadmap to reduce our carbon impact, maximise our use of resources and further enhance our operations to be even more efficient by 2030.
“Our future depends on us being good corporate citizens and stewards of the environment, because without the incredible communities, healthy marine ecosystems, and scenic spaces we operate in, it would be impossible to deliver unforgettable happiness to our guests through extraordinary cruise vacations.”
Meanwhile, MSC Cruises’ first ship to be powered by LNG – MSC World Europa – has repositioned to Europe to run its first summer season in the Mediterranean after spending its maiden season in the Gulf region.