Celebrity Cruises new Edge class ship will have the ability to use three types of fuel in a sustainability drive.
The Royal Caribbean Group brand claims that the fifth ship in the series will be at the forefront of alternative fuel use when it enters service in 2024.
The changes advance carbon-free cruising, but by adding methanol as a fuel option, local emissions like sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter are significantly reduced, according to the company.
The ‘flex fuel’ engine is the results of collaborative efforts of Royal Caribbean Group, technology firm Wartsila and French shipyard Chantiers de L’Atlantique.
Royal Caribbean Group president and chief executive Jason Liberty said: “As we innovate our ship design and offerings, we’re also focused on equally evolving the fuel and technology landscape that powers them.
“By incorporating tri-fuelled engines, we are ensuring that as alternative, low-carbon-based solutions become more viable, our ships will be ready to adapt and drive the industry forward to a more sustainable and net zero emissions future.”
Celebrity Cruises president Lisa Lutoff-Perlo added: “With the launch of our Edge series of ships in 2018, we set ambitious sustainability goals to make these ships the most energy efficient large vessels at sea.
“Working collaboratively with our partners, we have continued to develop new technologies and achieve breakthroughs with each subsequent ship.”