What is the environmental impact of cruise ships?

The effect of cruise ships on the climate is profound. The combination of air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and ocean pollution creates a multifaceted environmental impact. With stricter regulations regarding emissions, the demand for cleaner fuel is increasing. Norway is leading the way when it comes to developing greener marine technologies and building zero-emission cruise ships.

The global cruise market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 11.5 per cent from 2023 to 2030. While the industry is booming, it is also leaving negative effects in its wake.

Cruise ships traditionally rely on emission-producing fossil fuels. A medium-sized vessel produces greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to as many as 12 000 cars. Even the most efficient vessels emit more carbon dioxide per passenger per kilometre than a passenger jet.

Another concerning aspect of cruise pollution is air pollution. Cruise ships emit carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulphur oxide (SOₓ) and nitrogen oxide (NOₓ), which contribute to poor air quality, particularly in port cities. A study by Transport & Energy shows that European cruise ships emitted as many sulphur oxides in 2022 as 1 billion cars.

Cruise ships cause marine pollution through the disposal of waste and ballast water. They generate vast amounts of sewage and grey water, which is often discharged into the ocean, impacting marine ecosystems. Although international regulations are in place to limit the practice, this kind of pollution still occurs.

It's not all doom and gloom, however. According to the  Western Norway Research Institute, Norwegian cruise ships account for nearly 3 per cent of the country’s overall greenhouse gas emissions. The Norwegian parliament has introduced the requirement that ferries and cruise ships in World Heritage fjords must be emission free from 2032. To achieve this goal, Norwegian companies are adopting advanced wastewater treatment systems, cleaner fuels, and other sustainability measures.

A key example of this is Norwegian shipowners who are ordering zero-emission cruise ships loaded with cutting-edge technology. These vessels will use solutions such as electric engines powered by batteries, hydrogen fuel cells and wind-assisted propulsion.

Here are a just a few of the many green maritime solutions and technologies being developed in Norway:

Ulstein, one of Norway’s largest shipbuilders, is developing a power solution called  Ulstein Zed, which will allow large cruise ships to run emission-free for a full day. It includes powerful batteries, energy recovery, specialised heating and ventilation, and solar panels. The system will allow ships to visit vulnerable areas, like the Arctic, without negative impacts on local ecosystems.

Large cruise ships produce waste at the same rate as small towns, and most use an onboard incinerator to burn this waste. However, Scanship converts the waste into biofuel. It turns carbon-based waste like food and sewage into flammable gas, bio-oil, and charcoal. This reprocessed waste can then be used to power cruise ships.

When docked, ships require electricity to support onboard operations. This power is generally provided by auxiliary engines that emit CO₂, SOₓ, and NOₓ, affecting local air quality and creating noise pollution. BluEco® Shore Power provides an onshore power supply system to ships at berth, eliminating the need to operate polluting auxiliary engines.

Coastal cruise operator Havila Voyages is building four new hybrid passenger ships which will run on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and battery power. The cruiseliners will cut CO₂ emissions by 25 per cent, and the battery power will yield additional savings. The vessels will reduce emissions along the coastline and in the fjords and will be able to sail emission-free for many hours at a time.

Time is of the essence in slowing climate change. Norway’s green maritime solutions and technologies are helping the global cruise industry to take steps toward achieving its objective of zero emissions.