Transitioning The Cruise Industry to New Fuels
The cruise industry is the most technologically advanced sector within the maritime industry.
Therefore, considering international regulatory efforts to significantly reduce carbon emissions over the coming years, it is no wonder that cruise lines aim to lead the charge in building and powering ships with cleaner fuels.
Under the EU Green Deal and Fit for 55 package, maritime businesses in Europe must reduce their carbon emissions by 55% before 2030 and become fully carbon-neutral by 2050. With around 30% of the top cruise destinations being in Europe, this has a significant impact on the sector
Cruise lines have a history of investing in new technology as part of their commitiment to enhancing customer experience and to drive up passenger bookings. In response to both legislation and growing global climate consciousness, adopting new fuels is a logical strategy for futureproofing business revenue.
Leading the move to new fuels
Although they make up less than 1% of the global fleet, “Cruise ships are very visible,” says Joost van Ree, Director of Cruise & Yachts at Ocean Technologies Group. Due to their grand size and central docking locations, he explains, their exhaust is more likely to draw public attention than that from cargo vessels, putting increased pressure on the sector to adopt greener fuels and practices.
“2025 will be a major transition for the cruise industry in the case that there are already ships being built now – the first ships in the maritime industry – that will be, on that size, hydrogen-ready.”
Although the ships are almost ready, the regulations are not, with the IMO yet to finalise standards for the new technologies. “It’s going to take them ten to fifteen years, at least, to come up with regulations, because they’re dealing with so many countries who need to contribute.” says Joost. “However, as we speak, the ships are near completion at the shipyards – we can’t wait.”
Challenges of adopting new fuels
Zero-carbon fuels such as hydrogen and liquefied natural gas (LNG) are desirable due to their ease of production. However, storing and consuming the fuels safely onboard requires careful and advanced engineering, for which the maritime industry has very limited experience.
Managing this fuel on a cruise ship brings a further layer of obstacles. “The challenges of bunkering cruise ships are much higher than with cargo because they carry around five thousand passengers on board,” says Joost. “When it goes wrong, there are more risks and there is a lot more at stake.”
“For example, with LNG cargo vessels, there are so many safety measures in place that cannot be applied on a cruise ship, because with so many passengers, you cannot control everything.”
Crucially, recruitment and training for technical staff roles on board will be more important, and more involved than ever before, demanding new skill sets and higher qualification levels. “It’s really, really rocket science,” says Joost. “Engineers need to have the knowledge about future fuels and very complex systems supporting them, so as a cruise ship operator or manager, you need to make sure your people are ready.”
Building new standards and talent
Technology, regulation and training all have a role to play in the safe transition to new fuels. With the cruise sector’s reputation as a first mover, and with technology advancing so rapidly, it has the opportunity to lead the way to a more sustainable future. This will not be without its challenges, and there is a very urgent need for standards to be established and adopted ahead of formal guidelines from the IMO. In the interim, these can be based on the best practices and guidelines coming out of working groups, such as the Maritime Just Transition Task Force.
Crew knowledge and competence will be critical to safely adopting and operating with new fuel mixes.
Joost notes that Ocean Technologies Group is in a perfect position to support the industry’s transition. A long-term partner to maritime and with a strong standing in cruise, OTG has a history of supporting companies in meeting and exceeding standards.
Now part of Lloyds Register, which serves as a maritime classification society, OTG can offer a higher level of support to its customers as shipping enters a new age.
“We can help the cruise lines in writing the new standards and new procedures, then provide the training. The next years will be interesting for us, especially in preparing the workforce on board ships for the new fuels, and we look forward to supporting our customers in achieving the best for their crew, their guests, and the planet.”
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