First Royal Caribbean ship sails on renewable fuels

Photo: Ahecht / Wikimedia

Royal Caribbean Group says it is the first major cruise operator to sail from the US using renewable diesel fuel.

Navigator of the Seas is sailing from the Port of Los Angeles.

It comes less than a year after the unveiling of the Destination Net Zero scheme.

The renewable fuel contains less carbon than traditional marine fuels.

“We are committed to investing in innovations that will help us reduce emissions,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, Royal Caribbean Group’s Executive Vice President, Shared Services Operations.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we continue to set our sights on other leading alternative solutions to meet our net zero goals.”

It plans to continue using lower carbon fuel to meet part of the Los Angeles-based ship’s fuel needs as it still evaluates the feasibility for long-term use.

It has ambitions to expand to other ships across the fleet.

It follows a similar trial by the Group’s joint venture partner, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, which is exploring a different process for developing sustainable biofuels.

For the trial, Royal Caribbean Group has partnered with World Fuel Services to supply the renewable fuel.

The Jankovich Company will deliver the fuel on behalf of World Fuel Services to the ship while at the Port of Los Angeles.

Once fueled, Navigator of the Seas will set sail to Mexico.

In addition, Royal Caribbean Group is set to debut the first hybrid-powered ship in summer 2023, as part of Silversea Cruises newest class of ships, Nova class.

It is also working to reduce emissions while at port by investing in shore power on its ships.

In 2021, Royal Caribbean Group signed an agreement to bring shore power to PortMiami.

source: Travel Mole