Sylvie Willis
Cruise ships are some of the biggest vessels in the shipping industry, and they burn a lot of fuel. Most cruise ships run on a blend of heavy fuel oil, also known as bunker fuel, and a special type of diesel called marine diesel oil (MDO). Bunker fuel is thick, black, and has a tar-like consistency. It is cheap, but it is terrible for the environment. Diesel fuel is also controversial due to its adverse effects on the environment. However, some cruise lines are working towards improving their diesel consumption and exploring other alternatives, such as renewable diesel, LNG, methanol, and hydrogen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel type | Most cruise ships run on a blend of bunker fuel and diesel, specifically marine diesel oil (MDO). Some cruise lines are moving towards sustainability by using renewable fuel or LNG. |
| Environmental impact | Cruise ships are heavily criticized for the damage they cause to the environment through oil spills and emissions of toxic compounds and air pollutants. |
| Fuel consumption | Cruise ship fuel consumption depends on several factors, including structure, carriage capacity, and route. Cruise ships are known to burn a lot of fuel for power, heat, and moving excess material to shelter, comfort, and amuse passengers. |
| Alternative fuels | Some cruise lines are exploring alternative fuels such as LNG, methanol, hydrogen, and zero-emission solutions. |
| Emission reduction strategies | Strategies to reduce emissions include slow steaming, optimized itineraries, and shore power connection. |
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What You'll Learn
- Cruise ships use a special type of diesel called marine diesel oil (MDO)
- Bunker fuel is a cheap but highly polluting alternative to diesel
- LNG is a clean-burning fuel that is better for the environment
- Renewable diesel is chemically identical to standard diesel but produces fewer emissions
- Cruise ships burn a lot of fuel for power, heat and entertainment
Cruise ships use a special type of diesel called marine diesel oil (MDO)
Cruise ships are the largest sea-going vessels in the shipping industry. They are used for passenger entertainment and transport across water bodies. The primary requirement of these cruise vessels is passenger safety and engagement. Cruise ships are known to burn a lot of fuel for power, heat, and moving hundreds of tons of excess material to shelter, comfort, and amuse passengers.
Most cruise ships use a special type of diesel called marine diesel oil (MDO), which is made specifically for marine vessels. While controversial due to its adverse environmental effects, diesel continues to be used by most cruise ships today. Diesel fuel has been deemed to emit far more CO2 than power grids, making it a huge pollutant issue. Cruise ships burn as much fuel as whole towns, and a single large cruise ship will emit over five tonnes of NOX emissions and 450kg of ultra-fine particles a day.
However, some cruise lines are working towards improving their diesel consumption and exploring other alternatives. For example, Royal Caribbean is moving towards sustainability by using renewable fuel on select ships, including the Navigator of the Seas. Renewable diesel is produced by the hydroprocessing of fats, vegetable oils, and waste cooking oils, resulting in significantly fewer emissions than other maritime fuels.
Other alternative fuels being explored include liquified natural gas (LNG), methanol, hydrogen, and eventually zero-emission solutions. LNG is a transitional fuel that is better for the environment as it is a clean-burning fuel. Over 20 ships in operation or on order will be powered by LNG. Additionally, shore power connection allows ships to connect to the local electrical grid when docked, eliminating in-port emissions.
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Bunker fuel is a cheap but highly polluting alternative to diesel
Bunker fuel, also known as heavy fuel oil (HFO), is a cheap but highly polluting alternative to diesel. It is a thick, viscous oil mainly used in large ships like cruise vessels. Due to its high energy density, it is ideal for long voyages. However, it has been deemed terrible for the environment.
The main difference between bunker fuel and diesel lies in their refinement levels. Bunker fuel is a heavy, unrefined fuel used for large ships' engines, while diesel is a lighter, refined fuel suitable for smaller engines in vehicles such as trucks, buses, and cars. Diesel, specifically marine diesel oil (MDO), is made for marine vessels like cruise ships.
Bunker fuel's high density and viscosity mean it requires heating and filtering before use. It is chosen based on engine type and environmental limits, with some types being easier to handle and having lower viscosities. Marine gas oil (MGO), a type of bunker fuel, is favoured for its ease of use and low sulphur levels, making it suitable for environmentally regulated areas.
Despite the environmental concerns, bunker fuel remains attractive due to its low cost and high energy density. However, there is a push for alternative fuels, with some cruise lines exploring renewable options. LNG, methanol, and hydrogen are gaining attention as cleaner alternatives to bunker fuel, offering lower emissions and improved environmental performance.
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LNG is a clean-burning fuel that is better for the environment
Most cruise ships run on diesel fuel, specifically a type called marine diesel oil (MDO). However, diesel has adverse effects on the environment, and some cruise lines are working to improve their consumption and explore alternatives. For instance, Royal Caribbean is moving towards sustainability by using renewable fuel on select ships.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is a fossil fuel that has been cooled to a liquid state, making it easier to store and transport. It is mostly composed of methane, a greenhouse gas, and contains less carbon than other fossil fuels. LNG is considered a clean-burning fuel that is better for the environment than traditional fuels such as diesel and heavy fuel oil. It produces significantly fewer emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2), and soot. LNG also has no environmentally damaging sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions.
The use of LNG can lead to significant reductions in NOx and SO2 emissions, as well as carbon monoxide (CO) and CO2 emissions. It generates almost no particulate matter or soot emissions, which is an advantage over diesel fuel and heavy fuel oil. LNG is seen as a transitional fuel in the cruise industry, with over 20 ships in operation or on order powered by LNG.
While LNG is a fossil fuel, it is still considered the cleanest-burning option available. It helps address the "energy trilemma" by providing affordable, secure, and low-carbon energy. However, some critics argue that LNG contributes to climate breakdown and extreme weather events, and that advertising it as a "green" alternative is misleading.
The transition to cleaner fuels like LNG is part of the cruise industry's efforts to go green. While LNG may not be the perfect solution, it offers a substantial reduction in emissions compared to traditional fuels, making it a step towards a more sustainable future for cruise ships.
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Renewable diesel is chemically identical to standard diesel but produces fewer emissions
Most cruise ships run on a blend of bunker fuel and diesel. Diesel fuel used by cruise ships is called marine diesel oil (MDO). While diesel has adverse effects on the environment, some cruise lines are working towards improving their diesel consumption and exploring other alternatives. For example, Royal Caribbean is trying to move towards sustainability by using renewable fuel on select ships.
Renewable diesel is a fuel made from fats and oils, such as soybean oil or canola oil, and is processed to be chemically the same as petroleum diesel. It meets the ASTM D975 specification for petroleum in the United States. Renewable diesel differs from biodiesel in how it is processed. It is produced similarly to petroleum diesel, which makes it chemically identical. Renewable diesel can be used as a replacement fuel or blended with any amount of petroleum diesel.
There are several technology pathways to produce renewable diesel, including traditional hydrotreating, biological sugar upgrading, catalytic conversion of sugars, gasification, and pyrolysis. Traditional hydrotreating involves reacting the feedstock (lipids) with hydrogen under elevated temperatures and pressures in the presence of a catalyst. Commercial plants currently use this technology. Biological sugar upgrading uses a biochemical deconstruction process, similar to that used with cellulosic ethanol, with the addition of organisms that convert sugars to hydrocarbons. Catalytic conversion of sugars involves a series of catalytic reactions to convert a carbohydrate stream into hydrocarbon fuels. Gasification involves the thermal conversion of biomass to syngas, which is then catalytically converted to hydrocarbon fuels. Pyrolysis involves the chemical decomposition of organic materials at elevated temperatures in the absence of oxygen.
Renewable diesel has several benefits, including being made from renewable sources, burning clean, and working just like traditional diesel. Fleets that switch to renewable diesel can reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality without sacrificing power or performance. For example, the City of Oakland, California, switched to renewable diesel and is expected to displace the consumption of about 250,000 gallons of petroleum diesel and eliminate more than 1,500 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year. Renewable diesel reduces emissions of greenhouse gases from 13-90% and CO2 emissions by approximately 60-90%.
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Cruise ships burn a lot of fuel for power, heat and entertainment
Cruise ships are the largest sea-going vessels in the shipping industry. They carry thousands of passengers for entertainment and transport across water bodies. As a result, they require a lot of fuel to power and heat these floating cities.
Cruise ships primarily burn fossil fuels in diesel engines to generate electrical energy. Most cruise ships use a special type of diesel called marine diesel oil (MDO), which is specifically designed for marine vessels. Some cruise ships also use heavy fuel oil, also known as bunker fuel, which is cheaper but highly controversial due to its terrible environmental impact.
The amount of fuel burned by cruise ships is staggering. The Harmony of the Seas, one of the world's largest cruise ships, burns 1,377 US gallons of fuel per hour per engine at full power, amounting to about 66,000 gallons of highly polluting diesel fuel per day. According to residents near ports, the fumes from these ships are noticeable and contribute to air pollution.
The environmental impact of cruise ships is significant. A single large cruise ship can emit over five tonnes of NOX emissions and 450kg of ultra-fine particles daily, impacting the air quality of nearby cities. Campaigners claim that a large cruise ship can emit as many air pollutants as five million cars travelling the same distance. With the cruise industry's rapid growth, the pollution problem is becoming more acute.
To address this issue, some cruise lines are transitioning to cleaner alternative fuels, such as Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), methanol, and hydrogen. These fuels offer a transitional step towards more sustainable options. Additionally, cruise ships can implement strategies like slow steaming, optimized itineraries, and shore power connections to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, most cruise ships run on diesel fuel, specifically a type called marine diesel oil (MDO). However, some cruise lines are moving towards sustainability by using renewable fuel or alternative fuels such as LNG, methanol, hydrogen, and renewable diesel made from fats, vegetable oils, and waste cooking oils.
Marine diesel oil (MDO) is a special type of diesel fuel made specifically for marine vessels such as cruise ships. It is known to have adverse effects on the environment, and its use is controversial.
Several cruise lines are exploring alternatives to MDO due to its environmental impact. Some alternatives include LNG, methanol, hydrogen, and renewable diesel made from fats, vegetable oils, and waste cooking oils.
