Cruise ships are considered climate killers. To make them more environmentally friendly, shipping companies are working on new technology. But not everyone applauds.
Kassel – The fact that cruise ships are bad for the environment is not a particularly controversial opinion. Not only does wastewater flow into the sea and ships produce garbage, but emissions can also reach astronomical proportions. The ocean giants consume huge amounts of electricity and fuel. But the shipping companies want to free themselves from the stigma of being environmental offenders and are now relying on renovations and new technology.
The holiday company Tui Cruises is sending the “Mein Schiff 7” out to sea in early summer. As Tui explained on its website, the new ship will not have normal fuel in its tank, but low-emission marine diesel.
Tui Cruises ships will run on green methanol in the future
But that shouldn't be everything. Tui Cruises wants to use methanol as fuel in the future, and in the future the ships will run on green methanol, as Tui writes on its website. According to the company, this step is an “investment in the future and an important contribution to climate-neutral cruising.” Vacationers were recently looking forward to a three-year cruise - but it was canceled.
Waste processing should also become more innovative. Organic waste should be broken down through thermal treatment and processed for further use on land. “The liquid parts of the waste are separated using heat and pressure and sent to the ship’s own wastewater treatment system,” says Tui. What comes out would be at the level of “state-of-the-art sewage treatment plants.”
Aida ships already use liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a fuel alternative
An alternative fuel is also liquid petroleum gas (LNG). The competition from Tui Cruises is already using this: the “Aida Nova” and the “Aida Cosma” already run on LNG. In winter 2024/25, Tui wants to follow suit with another new cruise ship (Mein Schiff Relax). This should also have improved catalysts to reduce nitrogen oxides.
The exorbitant power consumption should also be addressed. When ships are in port, they continue to run on electricity generated by the engines, which is not only noisy but also inefficient. New buildings should use “shore power”, i.e. electricity from the port. The ship is in port for at least 40 percent of its operating time and Tui “insists” that the electricity offered is green.
“Shore power” for “almost emission-free ship operation” of cruise ships
According to the company, this ensures “almost emission-free ship operations”. Five Tui Cruises ships already use shore power. MSC Cruises also wants to achieve this for its ships by the end of 2024. Of course, the ports must also be equipped accordingly, which will become mandatory in the EU from 2030.
If the shipping companies have their way, the environmental sinner image should no longer cling to cruise ships for much longer. The World Shipping Association ICS even wants the entire industry worldwide to be completely climate-neutral by 2050. The Hurtigurten shipping company is also writing positive headlines in this regard, as it owns the first hybrid ship, the MS Amundsen. But there is not applause from all observers.
Environmental association sues Tui Cruises for “empty climate promises”
For example, German Environmental Aid (DUH) is suing Tui Cruises. The shipping company advertised with the slogan “2050 decarbonized cruise operations (Net zero)”. This annoys environmentalists because no specific measures were linked to it: Managing Director Jürgen Resch from the DUH comments on this as follows: “Companies are no longer allowed to only benefit from empty climate promises, even though they have not planned any concrete measures.”
Resch added that environmental aid will “take greater action against such misleading future promises made by entire companies.” And Agnes Sauter, DUH head of ecological market surveillance, continued: “As a consumer protection organization, we will continue to campaign against non-transparent and untrue advertising claims at the expense of the climate.” These are not the only problems that can arise on a cruise ship: two types of viruses broke out on one ship.
(cgsc)