Carnival Cutting Emissions with New Technologies and LNG Fuel

Carnival Corporation’s Efficiency Initiatives: A Drive Towards a Greener Future

Carnival Corporation has made remarkable strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Despite expanding its cruise capacity by 30 percent, the company has managed to lower its emissions by 10 percent from its peak levels in 2011, according to Vice Admiral Bill Burke, Chief Maritime Officer. Buoyed by the success of its ongoing initiatives, Carnival has accelerated its carbon intensity reduction goal by four years, now aiming for 2026.

Major Efficiency Gains Across the Fleet

Carnival’s commitment to sustainability extends across its entire fleet. One key driver of these efficiency gains is the service power package, a set of ship upgrade options introduced through trials dating back to 2015. Burke highlighted that the most significant improvement comes from modernizing HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems.

“The biggest piece is HVAC,” said Burke. “Old systems, like the ones in homes, may work better after cleaning, but they can’t match today’s advanced technology. The new systems are significantly more efficient.”

In addition to HVAC improvements, the company is rolling out LED lighting systems and variable frequency drives, optimizing energy use on a ship-by-ship basis. While each ship may have different systems in place, Burke stressed the importance of proper installation and fine-tuning of these upgrades to maximize energy savings.

“We analyze where each ship is today and determine how much energy efficiency it can achieve,” he said, adding that further updates, particularly in waste heat recovery, are expected as technology continues to advance.

Cutting-Edge Technologies: Air Lubrication and Energy Storage

Carnival Corporation is also leveraging new technologies to reduce fuel consumption. Currently, 10 ships in the fleet feature air lubrication systems that inject air beneath the hull, reducing friction and the energy required to propel the ship. Six more installations are planned.

In addition, Carnival’s AIDA brand is leading the way with innovative projects like fuel cells and battery systems. Although the current fuel cell is too small to be practical for larger vessels, battery technology is progressing well. Burke indicated that future ships may include battery systems, though likely not as large as the 10 MW installation on one AIDA ship.

The Path to Sustainable Fuels

Carnival has positioned Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a cornerstone of its fuel strategy, with Burke noting that LNG offers a 10 to 20 percent reduction in emissions compared to conventional fuels. The company is also exploring future fuels like biomethane and e-methanol, which could provide even greater environmental benefits.

“As we look to the future, LNG could turn into biomethane. We will be trialing that soon,” said Burke. He also acknowledged that while e-fuels like e-methanol could be a game changer, they are still 15 to 20 years away from widespread availability.

Looking Ahead: Net Zero and Beyond

Carnival Corporation is focused on becoming more efficient now as a stepping stone toward net-zero emissions in the future. Burke believes the company can achieve a 20 percent efficiency improvement through current measures, with the potential for even more gains by adjusting operational strategies, such as reducing ship speeds or modifying port schedules.

However, the ultimate path to net zero will rely on the transition to low-carbon fuels. “Efficiency will help, but the lion’s share of our progress toward net-zero will come from adopting lower carbon fuels,” Burke stated.

While Carnival’s efforts today are making significant contributions to reducing its carbon footprint, the company acknowledges that the future lies in innovative fuel technologies that will likely emerge in the next couple of decades.

Carnival Corporation’s forward-thinking approach to reducing emissions and increasing efficiency highlights its leadership in sustainable cruising. By continuously investing in technology and embracing cleaner fuels, the company is well on its way to meeting ambitious environmental goals while navigating a greener future for the cruise industry.