Impact Of Cruise Industry And Sea Vessels

In this article, Saurabh Somani gives us an overview of the major drawbacks and problems due to lack of awareness and international laws for large cruise vessels on oceans. As the tourism industry continues to vouch for cruise industry branding and promotion, the impact is evident as its influence on nature is evident in the form of climate change and unconditional weather conditions that the world is currently witnessing.

- Saurabh Somani

On Marine Ecology

Tackling air pollution in coastal communities remains a challenge, especially with the growing intervention of cruise liners. Many of us are not aware of their functionality. When docked in ports—large or small ocean vessels, big cruise ships or be it river cruise liners—many of these ships keep their engine running for functioning of the internal ship operation. Because of this, these ships are creating hazardous emissions into the atmosphere for long periods of time, which worsens air quality directly contributing to climate change. Oceans support innumerable forms of life. Sadly, millions of people who live near them are under direct threat in the form of attacks and accidents happening in oceans on a daily basis various channels of air pollution, sewage releases through cruises, rivers, big vessels, industrial ocean fish farming and unnatural ocean noise.

Cruise industry is a gigantic billion-dollar industry. Since its inception in the early 1900s cruise ships were considered symbols of panache and luxury. They were considered a holiday home initially for the rich and famous around the world. In later years, they have also taken the shape of yachts anchored in shallow waters or some are more familiar with luxury river cruises. Kerala backwaters on the southern tip of India, is an ideal example.