Cruise ships visiting Britain repeatedly fail to utilise “zero emission” onshore power, opting instead to run their engines and contribute to local air pollution. This disregard for environmental practices has drawn scrutiny towards the cruise industry, with some European cities taking drastic measures to curb the harmful effects of these vessels.
Cruise operators claim that switching off engines and connecting to low-carbon electricity while moored can significantly reduce emissions. However, an investigation by openDemocracy reveals that cruise ships consistently avoid using onshore power at Southampton, Britain’s largest cruise port.
Instead, they rely on marine gas oil, a significant contributor to local air pollution, or liquefied natural gas (LNG), which emits less air pollution but releases methane into the atmosphere. Both fuels contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
Between April 2022 and July 2023, there were approximately 300 days when at least one cruise ship was docked at Southampton, but the onshore power facility was only utilised 71 times during that period.
Some ships lack the necessary adaptations to utilise cleaner onshore power, but the cost is also a factor, as onshore power is more expensive than marine fuel. Cruise companies can invest in retrofitting their ships with the required technology to utilise onshore power.
Jon Hood, UK sustainable shipping manager at Transport & Environment (T&E), emphasises the need for greater transparency and mandatory use of onshore power. He urges cruise operators to disclose their onshore power usage and duration and calls for government intervention to enforce onshore power connection whenever available.
Katherine Barbour, Southampton’s first Green party councillor, highlights the dire consequences of inaction. She stresses the need for all berths to provide onshore power, urging ships to adapt to utilise it.
A study published in the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin in December 2021 revealed that a large cruise ship could have a carbon footprint greater than 12,000 cars. Another analysis by T&E in June 2023 found that despite stricter sulphur emission limits for marine fuels, 218 cruise ships operating in Europe in 2022 emitted more sulphur oxides than a billion cars.
In response to the environmental concerns, some cities have taken action. Venice banned cruise ships from its historical centre in 2021, Amsterdam followed suit earlier this year, and Barcelona implemented a similar ban in October 2023.
The cruise industry is committed to greener practices, aiming for net-zero carbon cruising by 2050. Carnival Corporation is building new LNG-powered ships, and cruise operators are exploring biofuel options. While new LNG engines reduce sulphur oxide emissions, they and the fuel production process emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
ABP, the operator of Southampton’s cruise port, launched an onshore power facility in April 2022, promising “zero emissions at berth.” However, only one ship can connect to this facility at a time.
Despite the facility’s capabilities, its utilisation remains low. The 2022 Solent LEP annual report indicated that shore power saved 1.7m kg of CO2 in a year, falling significantly short of ABP’s initial projections. ABP attributes this shortfall to the time required for “implementation to work up.”
The Cruise Lines International Association claims that 46% of its member fleet can connect to shoreside electricity. It also stated in September that 32 ports had at least one cruise berth with shoreside power, with the potential to reduce emissions by up to 98%.
ABP emphasises its commitment to providing shore power and views it as an integral part of the transition to net zero. It also highlights the port’s air-quality improvement and emissions reduction strategy, backed by a network of air quality monitors.
Port officials acknowledge that various factors, including high UK power costs, influence the use of the onshore power facility. ABP intends to release a 2023 shore-power performance review early next year, along with its air quality update.
Carnival Corporation reiterates its commitment to utilising shore power whenever available and operationally feasible. However, it acknowledges the limited availability of onshore power facilities worldwide.
As the cruise industry grows, the need for sustainable practices becomes increasingly urgent. Implementing mandatory onshore power connections, investing in cleaner technologies, and exploring alternative fuels are crucial steps towards reducing the environmental impact of cruise ships.