Cruising companies have recently felt the persuasive powers of various governments, who have asked them to clean up their act and develop ships that are more sustainable and environmentally viable. Cruise ships have long been known to be one of the more ‘unclean’ modes of transport, which is an image many cruise lines are keen to move away from. Couple this with the increased taxes that vessels are now receiving based on carbon emissions, and there is real motivations to innovate. Below are details of three great innovations in making cruise ships more eco-friendly.
Improved Ship Efficiency. Old ship designs really didn’t have their environmental impact in mind, but the latest ships are built from sustainable materials and put together using eco-friendly techniques. 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. Automobiles that rely on both fuel combustion and battery power have been around for a little while now and have proved very popular. 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 its batteries are running low, it connects up the power supply of the nearest harbor and charges them back up again
Cargo-Pooling. 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.
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