Karl WP Beyer July 24th, 2023 – By the year 2030, the two cruise lines of the TUI Group are planning their absolute CO2-Reduce emissions by more than a quarter, 27,5 percent, compared to 2019. In order to achieve the ambitious goal, the addition of sustainable biofuel to marine diesel was successfully tested during a voyage to the north of Mein Schiff 4.
The biofuel test run of the Mein Schiff 4 took place as part of a trip to the north. The test represents one aspect of TUI Cruises' new 2030 sustainability strategy. The Hamburg-based cruise line is the first company in the cruise industry to have its climate targets checked and validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). SBTi is a joint initiative of several non-profit organizations such as the WWF, which develops methods and criteria for effective climate protection in companies.
Mein Schiff 4 off Geiranger
TUI Cruises plans to achieve this goal, among other things, by using shore power, clean fuels, increasing energy efficiency, for example through environmentally friendly underwater silicone coatings, and reducing the average speed.
Regarding the test run, TUI explains that the biofuels can be used in the ship's engines without costly conversion or conversion measures. The second-generation biofuel used is purely vegetable; it mainly consists of cooking oil residues. The new fuel is almost free of sulfur oxides and in its pure form offers a CO2-Reduction of up to 90 percent compared to fossil fuels. In addition, on its voyage to Spitsbergen and Norwegian destinations, which started yesterday, Mein Schiff 4 will be moving during the ship's lay times Kiel, Ålesund and Bergen green shore power.
The next Nordland cruises planned between June and July 2024 with the newcomer Mein Schiff 7 and leading to Spitsbergen can already be booked. The trips are for June 23rd, July 07th and July 24th, 2024 each planned from Kiel.