January 27, 2020 - An estimated 50.000 ships sail the world's oceans. A maximum of 400 ships are exposed to particular criticism. What is meant are the cruise ships that are considered environmentally harmful. Apparently, the bulk of container ships, ferries, warships or special ships are rarely viewed as environmentally hazardous. How does Costa Crociere think about sustainability in cruises?
Costa Kreuzfahrten, the German branch of Costa Crociere SpA, is committed to responsibility and sustainability in cruises in advertising emails and on the company's website. Costa tries to keep the ecological footprint as small as possible through a sustainability strategy. Measures to implement the ambitious goal are innovative technologies and Actions for Resource conservation.
Innovative technologies
The shipping company is focusing on lower emissions. With the Costa Smeralda, which went into service in December 2019, Costa is using a cruise ship with environmentally friendly propulsion technology for the first time. The Costa Smeralda burns fossil liquefied natural gas at sea and in port. The advantage of this technology is: The emissions of sulfur and fine dust tend towards zero; Nitrogen oxide emissions are drastically reduced and CO2 consumption is significantly reduced.
Costa Smeralda © Costa Crociere SpA
In addition, ten of the current 12 Costa ships have been equipped with an exhaust gas aftertreatment system. At the end of the current year, all ships will be equipped with exhaust gas washers. After LNG liquefied natural gas, they are currently the most environmentally friendly alternative for reducing ship emissions.
Energy efficiency - actions to conserve resources
Sustainable route planning, economical cruising speed and a hydrodynamic ship design reduce fuel consumption and therefore emissions.
Incidentally, all Costa cruise ships are prepared for Landstrom. AIDA Cruises, the German offshoot of Costa Crociere S.p.A, states on the subject of shore power that cruise ships spend 40 percent of their operating time in ports. From this it follows that ports around the world are obliged to install shore power systems for seagoing ships for reasons of environmental protection and those bordering ports affected by emissions.
A significant and fundamental problem in ship operations is that Waste of food. With the “4GoodFood” program, Costa is trying to reduce food waste by half by the end of 2020 and to raise the awareness of guests for this topic.
An important topic of the Resource management is water. Two thirds of the water required on board is obtained from the sea using desalination plants.
The scraps are 100 percent separated. Valuable materials - such as aluminum - are recycled. The use of plastics on board ships has been continuously reduced for years.
Please note: : The sustainability strategy is also practiced by AIDA Cruises in a similar way.