Photo: PRNewsfoto/Holland America Line
The Rotterdam cruise ship, Holland America Line's flagship, received its first taste of biofuel prior to leaving the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands at the end of April as part of an extensive testing campaign throughout May and the entire summer.
Just as aviation is currently betting on SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) as a way to lower the emission levels of existing aircraft, the maritime industry is looking at multiple fuel alternatives that can garner similar results without requiring ship or engine modifications. One of them is LNG (liquefied natural gas), and its use in the cruising industry has continued to grow over the past few years.
Another alternative is represented by so-called biofuels that are made from 100% organic waste or residues such as the ones resulting from feedstock processing. The resulting fuel boasts minimal carbon intensity, and it's estimated to offer an 86% reduction of lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional maritime oil.
Holland America Line completed its first biofuel test in August 2022, and it wasn't the only Carnival Corporation brand to do so; the same GoodFuels biofuel was also tested onboard AIDAprima that same year.
This year, the US cruise line is taking things a step further. Its flagship will initially use biofuel for only one of its four engines. If all goes well during this month, the test could potentially be expanded to multiple engines over the summer.
All of these trips partially powered by biofuel are taking place in the Norwegian World Heritage Fjords as part of a long-term biofuel test campaign. By 2026, all vessels running on conventional fuels and emitting toxins will be prohibited from sailing into the Norwegian Fjords, which are the biggest tourist attraction in this country and, therefore, known for the major cruise traffic.
The GoodFuels MR1-100 sustainable fuel is supplied by FincoEnergies.
What makes these tests particularly important for the industry as a whole is that, according to the cruise line, they are among the first real-world biofuel tests for ships. Until now, biofuels have been tested extensively on large diesel engines either on shore, at research facilities, or in maritime sectors other than cruising.
Holland America Line will be one of the first to conduct long-term biofuel tests onboard a large cruise ship during real voyages. The 975-foot (297-meter) Rotterdam is the cruise operator's newest ship, equipped for a luxurious experience at sea, which includes fine dining, excellent music, and gorgeous artwork.
In the not-so-distant future, all cruise ships, even the most prestigious, will need to blend luxury with sustainability, and biofuels are seen as an effective way to get there. The Carnival Corporation expects to reach net zero emissions across its brands by 2050.
Another alternative is represented by so-called biofuels that are made from 100% organic waste or residues such as the ones resulting from feedstock processing. The resulting fuel boasts minimal carbon intensity, and it's estimated to offer an 86% reduction of lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional maritime oil.
Holland America Line completed its first biofuel test in August 2022, and it wasn't the only Carnival Corporation brand to do so; the same GoodFuels biofuel was also tested onboard AIDAprima that same year.
This year, the US cruise line is taking things a step further. Its flagship will initially use biofuel for only one of its four engines. If all goes well during this month, the test could potentially be expanded to multiple engines over the summer.
All of these trips partially powered by biofuel are taking place in the Norwegian World Heritage Fjords as part of a long-term biofuel test campaign. By 2026, all vessels running on conventional fuels and emitting toxins will be prohibited from sailing into the Norwegian Fjords, which are the biggest tourist attraction in this country and, therefore, known for the major cruise traffic.
The GoodFuels MR1-100 sustainable fuel is supplied by FincoEnergies.
What makes these tests particularly important for the industry as a whole is that, according to the cruise line, they are among the first real-world biofuel tests for ships. Until now, biofuels have been tested extensively on large diesel engines either on shore, at research facilities, or in maritime sectors other than cruising.
Holland America Line will be one of the first to conduct long-term biofuel tests onboard a large cruise ship during real voyages. The 975-foot (297-meter) Rotterdam is the cruise operator's newest ship, equipped for a luxurious experience at sea, which includes fine dining, excellent music, and gorgeous artwork.
In the not-so-distant future, all cruise ships, even the most prestigious, will need to blend luxury with sustainability, and biofuels are seen as an effective way to get there. The Carnival Corporation expects to reach net zero emissions across its brands by 2050.
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