March 17, 2010
Cruise Ships Strive To Be Environmentally Friendly
Cruise lines have recently come under a great deal of pressure from governments to clean up their act and make cruising a more sustainable and environmentally friendly activity. The extent to which cruise ships damage the environment really entered the public's consciousness a few years ago with a number of critical expert reports released to the media, and this is something cruise companies wish to put behind them. Add to this the fact that many governments are now charging cruise companies extra in tax for high carbon emissions, and cleaning up cruises suddenly seems like a good idea to companies. Here are 3 of the latest ‘green’ cruising developments.
Enhanced Efficiency. The effect of ship design and construction on the environment was not top priority twenty years ago, but now ship builders are using clever materials and efficient designs. The materials are getting lighter so less energy is needed for propulsion, soft sails are often being included, and a company in Ireland have pioneered a biogas-powered engine, set to soon be used by Cunard cruises. The very same Irish company are also working on hydrodynamic hulls that actually convert wave energy into forward momentum.
Hybrid Engines. A number of cars and trucks have been developed with hybrid fuel-battery engines now and have integrated very well with the more traditional vehicles. Now ship builders such as those making boats for Silversea Cruises are getting in on the action and making boats that couple the traditional diesel power with electrical power. When a ship comes into harbor it is connected to the shoreside power source and gets a quick charge up of its huge batteries
Cargo Sharing. A great idea being trialled by Oceania Cruises is ‘cargo sharing’. If a cruise ship has not filled all its spaces, it can offer to carry commercial cargo for other companies sending things to the same place, for a small commission of course. The cruise company wins as they get money they would otherwise not have got, the cargo company does not have to charter its own boat, and energy is saved that reduces carbon emissions.
Filed under Whale Watching Tours by jenny