Earlier this month, Holland America Line efficiently accomplished the primary ever long run, 100% biofuel check aboard an working cruise ship, MS Volendam, whereas the ship was positioned in Rotterdam.
The check, which started with blended fuels however progressed to finish biofuel use, took 20 days and had very promising outcomes for reducing cruise ship emissions.
Biofuels Used on Volendam
The check aboard Volendam was carried out in partnership with GoodFuels, a number one producer and provider of sustainable biofuels for the transportation trade, and Wärtsilä, a world chief in energy and propulsion applied sciences for the marine market.
The biofuels used are derived from feedstocks licensed as 100% waste or residue. This implies the gas creates no new land-use points, doesn’t compete with agricultural meals manufacturing, and doesn’t contribute to deforestation.
The 20-day check started in late August and concluded on September 7, 2022. For the primary 5 days, a mix of 30% biofuel and 70% marine fuel oil (MGO) was utilized in considered one of Volendam‘s predominant auxiliary engines. For the remaining 15 days, the ship used nothing however biofuels.
After analyzing the info collected via the testing intervals, GoodFuels decided there was a 78% lower in lifecycle carbon dioxide emissions through the last 15 days of trial in comparison with marine fuel oil emissions.
This extraordinarily constructive end result represents a promising step towards cleaner, extra sustainable gas for the cruise trade.
“We had been excited to have this chance to check a next-generation gas useful resource on a Holland America Line ship, and we’re very inspired by the outcomes,” stated Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line.
“As a part of our dedication to sustainability, we now have all the time appeared for cutting-edge options to environmental challenges that can assist us meet Carnival Company’s sustainability objectives over the approaching many years.”
Whereas that is only a first check of utilizing biofuels aboard an lively cruise ship, such good outcomes can possible be carried into additional assessments and larger use of those various fuels.
“Our intensive work in testing various marine fuels is a central a part of our efforts to form viable decarbonisation choices for our clients,” stated Ricardo Opperman, managing director of Wärtsilä North America Inc.
“We’re repeatedly creating our engine know-how to simply accept and retain operational and environmental effectivity ranges with numerous future fuels, together with biofuels. These sea trials with 100% biofuel shall be particularly necessary — for Carnival Company, for Goodfuels, for Wärtsilä, and for the trade as a complete.”
Why This Ship?
On the time of the check, the Rotterdam-class MS Volendam was docked in Rotterdam, the second largest metropolis within the Netherlands, housing refugees from Ukraine as per earlier constitution agreements with the town. It’s not identified whether or not any refugees remained onboard through the check.
Whereas biofuel assessments have been run on giant diesel engines at shoreside analysis services and on a number of cargo ships, these assessments with Volendam represented the primary stay assessments on working cruise ships.
Volendam was chosen for the check because it was already situated at Rotterdam, one of many international ports the place GoodFuels operates the infrastructure obligatory to supply biofuel companies. This meant there was no want to tug a ship from service or relocate to a special port, and the vessel may conduct the check throughout common operations.
For crew members onboard, there isn’t any vital distinction in dealing with common gas oil versus biofuel. In reality, the “drop-in” biofuel examined on Volendam requires no shipboard refitting or particular gear, making it particularly engaging in its place gas.
Whereas that is the primary giant scale check of biofuels on an working cruise ship, this isn’t the primary total biofuel check within the Carnival Company household. AIDA Cruises carried out a blended biofuel check with AIDAprima in July, additionally partnering with Goodfuels and likewise in Rotterdam.
Volendam has now accomplished not solely the biofuel check, but in addition its constitution with the town of Rotterdam.
Eventually report, the ship was headed to Malaga, Spain, an intermediate cease alongside the way in which to Trieste, Italy, the place the ship will embark cruise vacationers for a 28-night Holy Land cruise, which passengers can get pleasure from in numerous smaller segments if most popular.
Volendam can welcome as much as 1,432 friends, with roughly 630 worldwide crew members onboard. In November, the ship will reposition to Fort Lauderdale for a winter of Caribbean and South America itineraries, earlier than shifting to Vancouver for the 2023 Alaska cruise season.
