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Carnival Corporation releases third-party study confirming Advanced Air Quality Systems are positive for environment

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 06 March 2019 06 March 2019

Carnival Corporation & plc released the results of an independent, two-year scientific wash-water study that shows the company’s Advanced Air Quality Systems are a safe and effective means for compliance with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2020 requirements, which include regulations for cleaner air emissions and strict wash-water quality standards.

The study also concluded that the wash-water samples from the Advanced Air Quality Systems – known in the industry as exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) or “scrubbers” – were below the limits set by several major national and international water quality and land-based water discharge standards to provide further proof of the quality and safety of the wash water, even when compared to criteria like drinking water.

Focused specifically on analyzing the composition and quality of wash water from Advanced Air Quality Systems, the two-year study included 281 wash-water samples from 53 Carnival Corporation ships equipped with the systems, creating the largest wash-water data set in the marine industry.

The samples were analyzed for 54 parameters by independent laboratories accredited by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), using standardized EPA methods. Following the lab phase, DNV GL, a leading classification society and recognized advisor for the maritime industry, reviewed the laboratory test data, comparing the results to major point source discharge limits and water quality standards.

In February, the independent study results were presented publicly at a technical conference for Clean Shipping Alliance 2020 (CSA 2020), a group of leading companies from the commercial shipping and cruise industries committed to complying with 2020 fuel requirements through the development and use of exhaust gas cleaning systems.

Specific to IMO wash-water requirements, the study confirmed results from previous studies showing the quality of the water used in the Advanced Air Quality Systems process was always far below the IMO monitoring limits for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the annual limits for nitrates. In fact, when measured against IMO standards, the average wash-water test results in this study were over 90 percent lower than maximum allowable levels. In many cases, the materials were completely undetectable in the laboratory testing process.

Additionally, the report compared the samples to selected national and international water quality benchmark standards, including the German Waste Water Ordinance, the EU Industrial Emissions and the Surface Water Standards of the EU’s Water Framework Directive. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) drinking water guidelines were also evaluated. The Advanced Air Quality Systems test results compared favorably with all of these major benchmark standards, demonstrating that the composition of the water was not only consistently below, but in most cases, significantly below the most stringent limits.

“We are pleased to see the positive results of this multi-year study, which included in-depth analysis and review from respected independent experts, demonstrating the overall quality of our Advanced Air Quality Systems wash water and further confirming the IMO’s acceptance of these systems for 2020 regulatory compliance,” said Mike Kaczmarek, senior vice president for marine technology for Carnival Corporation. “Based on extensive emissions testing, we know that our Advanced Air Quality Systems in some ways outperform marine gasoil (MGO) in providing cleaner air emissions. And although we have known for a long time that the quality of water being returned to the sea is at a high level, based on our years of development of this data set, it was important to release the findings publicly as the latest scientific evidence showing the actual water quality. This is completely consistent with the commitments we have made to our sustainability goals, and to protecting the ocean environment and the destinations we visit around the world.”

Kaczmarek added: “Comparing scrubber wash water to both existing IMO requirements and also various other major water standards is useful to provide an informed perspective and to illustrate wash-water quality in a way that is easy to understand. These comparisons also provide relatable criteria for a number of specific parameters for Advanced Air Quality Systems, such as PAH concentrations, that are included within these standards.”

Carnival Corporation has installed Advanced Air Quality Systems on over 70 ships in its fleet, and combined with the industry-leading adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG), shorepower and other sustainability initiatives, the company remains committed to leading the marine industry in meeting and exceeding all established standards for performance and environmental protections.

Kaczmarek concluded: “We are committed to consistently exceeding the expectations of our guests for great vacations, and at the same time, we are committed to operating responsibly, as our very existence is tied to protecting the oceans, local waters and communities in which we operate. With more than 120,000 employees, most of whom live and work at sea, our commitment to protecting and maintaining healthy oceans, seas and local communities is not just an operating necessity. For us, it is simply the right thing to do, and we take great pride in our commitment to environmental leadership."

Building on much of the previous research on the use of Advanced Air Quality Systems that has come to similar conclusions about the quality of water that these systems return to the sea – the scope of the current study strongly confirms the suitability of these innovative systems to play an important, unrestricted role in compliance with upcoming IMO 2020 regulations.

Other recent major studies addressing the environmental performance of these systems in the marine environment include a June 2018 report by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism on the “Impact of EGCS on the Marine Environment,” which showed evidence strongly supporting scrubbers as a safe and effective option for IMO 2020 compliance.

Viking Cruises and Fincantieri firm contract for two newbuilds

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 04 March 2019 04 March 2019

In the context of the agreement announced in March 2018 for the construction of six ships, Fincantieri and Viking signed the contracts for the first two units, which will be delivered respectively in 2024 and 2025.

In partnership with the shipowner, Fincantieri will develop an advanced project based on the successful characteristics of the previous ships, upgraded and revisited in line with the latest available technologies. Viking’s current ocean fleet includes ships having exclusively all-veranda staterooms, a gross tonnage of about 47,800 tons with accommodation for 930 passengers in 465 cabins.

Fincantieri started its partnership with Viking in 2012, trusting the shipowner who was entering the ocean cruise market as a start-up. Today, the cooperation which first began with an order for two ships, has reached a total of 20 units, including the order awarded to Vard for two special cruise ships and the options. This is an all-time record, the largest number of units built by a shipbuilder for one sole shipowner.

Lindblad orders second newbuilding from Ulstein

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 28 February 2019 28 February 2019

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings Inc., the US based expedition cruise specialist, said it has signed an agreement with Norwegian shipbuilder and ship designer Ulstein in Norway to build a polar vessel. “The new ship is scheduled for delivery from Ulstein Verft in Q3 2021. The vessel is sister ship to National Geographic Endurance, which is under construction,” Lindblad said in a statement.

The order will expand the line’s National Geographic polar fleet to four ships. National Geographic Quest was introduced in July 2017, National Geographic Venture followed in December 2018 and the scheduled delivery of National Geographic Endurance in Q1 2020.

“Sister ship to National Geographic Endurance, the polar vessel will be fully stabilized with the highest ice class (PC5 Category A) of any purpose-built passenger vessel, and will feature Ulstein’s signature X-BOW®, a unique design that affords the smoothest, most comfortable ride imaginable, in all sea behavior, which results in greater fuel efficiency and fewer emissions, for reduced environmental impact,” Lindblad said.

Global Ports Holding-led consortium to operate and develop Nassau facilities

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 27 February 2019 27 February 2019

Global Ports Holding Plc (GPH), the Istanbul based company that is the world's largest independent cruise port operator, said that the Government of the Bahamas has awarded a 25 year concession to a consortium in which the company has a 49% stake to operate the cruise facilities in Nassau

The consortium is called Nassau Cruise Port Ltd (NCP) and it comprises GPH, the Bahamian Investment Fund and the Yes Foundation as members. The concession entails the Prince George Wharf and related areas, at Nassau cruise port. It handles about 3.7 million passengers each year.

“The Group, NCP and the Government of the Bahamas will now work towards agreeing the terms of a concession agreement. Following the successful execution of the concession agreement, GPH as part of NCP, will use its global expertise and operating model to manage the cruise port operations in Nassau,’ GPH said in a statement.

In addition, NCP will invest in expanding the capacity of the port from six berths to eight berths as well as taking a number of steps to transform the cruise port experience for both passengers and locals.

“The transformation will include the building of a new iconic terminal building, the creation of an event and entertainment area, investment into improving the current retail facilities and the design and construction of new food and beverage facilities as well as integration of the port into Bay Street and downtown Nassau. The new port is expected to act as a catalyst for the wider redevelopment of downtown Nassau,” GPH said.

GPH recently signed agreements with Antigua and the Cuban capital of Havana to operate and develop cruise facilities in both respective locations.

Titanic II planned to debut on North Atlantic April 2024

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 27 February 2019 27 February 2019

Titanic II, the near-replica of the ill fated liner, is planned to debut on the North Atlantic in April 2024, a source close to the project told CruiseBusiness.com.

Clive Palmer, the Australian businessman who set up a company called Blue Star Line to deliver the vessel, resumed work on the project last autumn and it is about to invite tenders from shipyards to built the 65,000 gross ton ship.

Originally, the plan was to build the vessel at the Jingling shipyard in China, but Blue Star Line has opened the bidding to any shipyard interested in the project, the source said.

The ship is currently planned to set sail from Southampton in the UK for New York on 10 April 2024, exactly 112 years after the first Titanic’s maiden voyage.

The source CruiseBusiness.com spoke to said that Palmer has an in-depth knowledge of the original Titanic and that he wants to incorporate as many original features in the new vessel as possible.

The 1912 ship had open berth dormitory accommodation in the third class and it is not known if e.g. the authorities in the US would allow the use of such facilities today.

If the answer is negative, then a small area of such accommodation would be built and instead of being used as sleeping accommodation, it would be used to show passengers how some people traveled in the days before the First World War.

The new ship will have two bridges, one with 1912 equipment and the other with modern day ones. The first named would be open for passengers to visit, but it would not be used for navigation. This would be done from the other bridge with modern equipment.

Modern safety regulations mean that certain changes have been made to the design of the new vessel compared to the original one. In addition, modern technology means that only one funnel is actually required, bit four will be fitted on the vessel in an effort to maintain as authentic external appearance as possible.

The top of each funnel would be painted black and in one of the funnels, a café is planned. Darkened windows would not compromise the external appearance of the vessel, while the passengers would have a view of the vessel’s upper decks and the sea from this location.