Planet
Decarbonising our marine operations is a core element of our sustainability strategy. To demonstrate our commitment to this we have in place an ambitious goal of net zero emissions by 2050, which goes further than the current IMO (International Maritime Organization) ambition of 50% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050.
Read our latest Sustainability report:
Read also our previous reports:
Reducing Carbon Intensity
By the end of 2019, we had successfully lowered our carbon intensity by 28% compared to 2008. Whilst the pandemic has meant we have been unable to track accurately the carbon intensity improvements across our fleet, we currently estimate that we will meet the IMO intensity ambition of a 40% reduction by 2027 – three years earlier than the industry target date of 2030 set by the IMO and adopted as a goal by CLIA.
Reducing Carbon Intensity
Energy Efficiency and Advanced Ship Design
For every new ship class that we develop, we completely revise the design to achieve optimal efficiency. We rethink the ship’s overall structure, deck space, weight distribution including the ship’s hull, rudder and bulbous bow to reach optimal hydrodynamics, aerodynamics, and maximise energy and fuel efficiency.
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Reducing air pollution
We have installed hybrid Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) on 14 of our cruise ships which reduce SOx emissions by 98%, and Selective Catalytic Reduction Systems on 3 ships, which reduces NOx by up to 90%.
Underwater radiated noise
Hull and propellers are designed, built and installed to minimise noise or vibration that might impact aquatic mammals.
- Wastewater treatment systems
Our fleet is in full compliance with wastewater discharge rules and, in 11 of our ships, advanced systems deliver treated water near to tap water standard.
- Freshwater
Our new ships are capable of providing all onboard freshwater needs from seawater.
- Waste management
Waste is compacted, separated or incinerated, and residual waste is carefully delivered to dedicated port reception facilities for recycling or disposal.
- New fuel types
In 2022, we will launch our first LNG-powered ship. LNG largely eliminates sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions and particulate matter in the exhaust, reduces nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by up to 85%, and CO2 by up to 25%.
- Energy efficiency
On new ships’ lighting is provided by energy-efficient LED and our heating, ventilation and air conditioning system self-adjusts to the weather and the number of passengers onboard.
- Shore power capability
7 of our ships are now able to connect to shore power, potentially enabling the onboard engines to be switched off whilst in berth
- Advanced analytics
Digitalisation is allowing us to anticipate and address inefficiencies in systems and equipment, and provide the crew with specific guidance for performance improvements.
- Heat recovery
Heat recovery systems allow the intelligent redistribution of heat and cold where needed throughout the ship.
- Trim stabiliser
A software application monitors the ship’s stability to support the deck officers in optimising the vessel’s trim – and therefore reducing fuel consumption.
- Reducing drag
Our ship hulls are coated with hi-tech paints that slow the growth of marine organisms, thereby reducing drag and improving energy efficiency.
- Ballast water treatment system
All ballast water is filtered and UV treated before being discharged at sea to ensure that it does not contain harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens.
Energy Efficiency and Advanced Ship Design
Water and Wastewater Management
Our ships are fitted with the latest freshwater production plants and 80% of all freshwater used onboard is self-produced. This means that we minimise taking this precious resource from destinations ashore where freshwater can be scarce.We aim to reduce onboard water demand by 3% per year for each ship, in a combination of monitoring usage, fitting water saving technologies, and training and educating crew. All wastewater on board is discharged to sea according to stringent international, national, and local regulations in force.
Since 2007, we have equipped our new ships with Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems (AWTS) that turn black and grey wastewater to near tap-water quality.
In addition, all our ships are able to discharge treated water at port where adequate port reception facilities connected to local wastewater treatment systems are available. This is notably the case in environmentally sensitive areas, such as the Baltic Sea.
Although regulations generally allow untreated sewage (blackwater) to be discharged once a ship is travelling more than 12 nautical miles from land, we do not allow this under normal operation in any circumstances and require that the ship requests permission from the Company, when a rare and exceptional discharge is necessary.
Regulations also permit the disposal of bilge and oily water at sea if it has been treated through an approved oily water separator. However, we follow a strict policy not to do this and instead discharge ashore all bilge and oily water, where it can be properly treated at approved port reception facilities.
Our advanced wastewater treatment systems process wastewater to near tap water quality.
Water and Wastewater Management
Ballast Water Treatment
To prevent this, and to comply with strict international regulations, all our ships are fitted with a ballast water treatment system that complies with the standards set by the UN international governing body, the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This system protects against the involuntary introduction of invasive marine species. In 2021, 100% of ballast water was filtered and UV treated before being discharged at sea.
Ballast Water Treatment
STEERING THE COURSE TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
For us Sustainability means protecting the environment, supporting the people who work with us and choose to travel with us,as well as the communities and places that we visit and do business with.
Discover our sustainability programme organised around four key pillars: Planet, People, Place and Procurement.
