The world’s largest cruise ship, the Icon of the Seas, is ready for its first voyage on Saturday, but there are worries from environmental groups regarding its use of liquefied natural gas (LNG), which can lead to harmful methane leakages into the atmosphere. The ship, owned by Royal Caribbean International, can accommodate 8,000 passengers on its 20 decks, capitalizing on the growing interest in cruises. Though LNG burns cleaner than traditional marine fuel, the potential for methane emissions poses a significant concern for environmentalists.
“It’s a step in the wrong direction,” said Bryan Comer, director of the Marine Program at the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). He noted that using LNG results in over 120% more life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions than the use of marine gas oil. Methane has a warming effect that is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over 20 years, making it crucial to reduce these emissions to mitigate global temperature rise.
The cruise ship, like many others, uses low-pressure, dual-fuel engines that release methane during the combustion process, known as “methane slip.” Royal Caribbean claims that its new ship is 24% more efficient in terms of carbon emissions than the standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). While LNG emits fewer greenhouse gases than the very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO) powering most of the global shipping fleet, concerns about methane leakage persist.
The ship’s engine technology plays a crucial role in reducing methane emissions, with advancements over the last few decades resulting in a 90% decrease in methane emissions. However, the estimated methane slip for cruise ship engines stands at 6.4% on average, compared to the IMO’s assumption of 3.5%.
With 63% of ships on order between 2024 and 2028 expected to be powered by LNG, the cruise industry is making a significant shift. Nevertheless, it is clear that more scrutiny and efforts are needed to address methane emissions. Royal Caribbean has acknowledged the need to adapt to alternative fuels as the market evolves, recognizing that LNG is only one part of its environmental strategy.
