Despite claims that newer vessels are clean and green, pollution from the cruise ship industry is still massive and little progress has been made towards emissions reduction, according to NABU’s 2017 cruise ship rankings. The cruise industry responded to the study by claiming that these rankings disregard legally-proved technologies.
Specifically, no company comes recommended in 2017 cruise ship ranking, as NABU claims that all operators still use heavy fuel oil (HFO) to power their ships.
Hapag-Lloyd and TUI are reported to have made ‘a small but important step’ towards cleaner ships, with the installation of nitrogen oxide catalysts.
NABU CEO, Leif Miller, stated: “The lack of action from Costa, MSC and Royal Caribbean to clean up operations endangers their customers, port residents and the global climate. We are also disappointed with greenwash from AIDA Cruises. They have failed to deliver on their promise to invest in particulate filters for the entire fleet.”
As explained, a mid-size cruise ship burns through as much as 150 tonnes of fuel a day, emitting as much particulate matter as one million cars. Emissions from diesel engines like they are employed on all cruise ships today are qualified carcinogenic by World Health Organisation. They also cause several severe lung or cardiovascular diseases. Recent onboard measurements of pollution on cruise ships illustrated the potential dangers passengers are facing.
Dietmar Oeliger, head of transport policy at NABU, said: “The environmental performance of cruise companies is lousy, as is their attitude to transparency. Last year the sector claimed 23 ships would be operating with soot filters. The truth is not a single filter is working at present.”
In response, the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) issued an official statement, stressing that CLIA and NABU pursue the same objectives regarding the emissions reduction and the protection of the environment. However, their opinions “differ substantially as far as technical processes and the possible speed of their implementation”.
The Association also suggested that “NABU ranking disregards legally-proved technologies.”
NABU asked for a general ban of heavy fuel oil, a switch to cleaner fuels and regulation that requires the installation of particulate filters and SCR catalysts on all ships.
