All at sea Is it ever possible to take an environmentally friendly cruise?
The Guardian|November 30, 2024
Toxic, filthy and cheap, the sludge-like substance known as heavy fuel oil has powered the shipping industry since the 1960s.
Karen McVeigh
All at sea Is it ever possible to take an environmentally friendly cruise?

What is perhaps less well known is that it is still used to power more than half of cruise ships, making what many choose as an alternative to flying one of the most environmentally damaging ways to travel.

Under pressure from environmentalists and new regulations, the industry is adopting new technologies and energy-saving designs, and studying alternative fuels.

But can cruises, especially at the rate the market is growing, ever be considered a "sustainable" way to travel? And, with a target date of net zero by 2050, are they decarbonising fast enough?

While the cruise sector forms just 2% of the shipping industry, the boats are growing in size and number. As a result, they need to do more than they are doing now towards sustainability, says Inesa Ulichina, sustainable shipping officer at Transport & Environment (T&E) campaign group.

"Cruise ships spend, proportionately, more time in port than other ships," she says, "particularly in pristine and natural locations where the impact of pollution is greater."

Critics say the cruising boom - ships have soared in number from 21 in the 1970s to 515 today and the world's biggest have doubled in size since 2000 - dwarfs decarbonisation efforts by individual lines and vessels.

A study commissioned by the high level panel for a sustainable ocean economy concluded that the 2% annual improvements in carbon intensity reported by two leading cruise lines in recent years was "cancelled out many times over" by an expected 6% to 7% rise in passenger traffic.

"If we look at Europe, the worst emitting ships are cruise ships or large ferries," says Ulichina.

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FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE GUARDIANSe alt
The Guardian

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Verstappen says he has 'lost all respect' for Russell
The Guardian

Verstappen says he has 'lost all respect' for Russell

Max Verstappen issued a condemnation of his fellow driver George Russell stating he had \"lost all respect\" for him after the pair were involved in an incident during qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix.

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'Not the best part of UK' Ortega hits out at Liverpool over Guardiola 'sack' chants
The Guardian

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Pep Guardiola said he expected more respect at Anfield after being taunted about the sack during Manchester City's defeat at Liverpool, with the chants prompting the goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to criticise the city as \"not the best part in the UK\".

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Salah seals statement win as City continue to flounder
The Guardian

Salah seals statement win as City continue to flounder

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The Guardian

Powerless Guardiola gawps as his empire falls at the hands of Slot's meritocracy

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Rashford and Zirkzee double up to demolish sorry Everton
The Guardian

Rashford and Zirkzee double up to demolish sorry Everton

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Palmer's showstopper adds to Emery's worries
The Guardian

Palmer's showstopper adds to Emery's worries

Bad news for fans of slapstick comedy: Chelsea appear to be serious again.

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Postecoglou tunes out injury 'violins' as Spurs are slowed by Cairney
The Guardian

Postecoglou tunes out injury 'violins' as Spurs are slowed by Cairney

It would be tempting to talk of Tottenham at least being predictable in their unpredictability, of the way they cannot but follow up a great result with a disappointing one, of the inevitability of them, having beaten Manchester City 4-0 the previous weekend, failing to beat Fulham at home.

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Hayes says fans entitled to boo USA's Albert at Wembley
The Guardian

Hayes says fans entitled to boo USA's Albert at Wembley

Emma Hayes United States head coach

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The Guardian

'Raring to go' Stokes brushes off injury worry after pulling up

Ben Stokes moved to play down concerns over his fitness and declared himself \"raring to go\" for the second Test at Wellington after the England captain ended his efforts with the ball mid-over during the eight-wicket win at Hagley Oval.

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