Europe’s Luxury Cruises Are Polluting The Equivalent of 1 Billion Cars

In a startling revelation, a recent study by Transport & Environment has uncovered that Europe’s 218 luxury cruise ships have emitted as many sulfur oxides (SOx) in a year as one billion cars. The worrisome reality is that despite the 2020 sulfur cap imposed by the UN shipping body, toxic air Pollution around Europe’s ports has surged past pre-pandemic levels.

Source: FRANCE 24 English/Youtube

On the flip side, Venice, an iconic city known for its romantic waterways, demonstrated an 80% decline in port air pollutants from cruise ships following the implementation of a ban on large vessels. The success of this measure shines a beacon of hope in the quest for cleaner air, hinting at a potent solution: greater port electrification.

Constance Dijkstra, a shipping campaigner at Transport & Environment, highlighted how Venice’s case underscores the viability of addressing cruise ship Pollution. Encouraging ports to provide electric plug-in facilities for ships could drastically minimize pollutants. Advocating for zero-emission fuels is another critical strategy to consider.

Alarmingly, last year’s data showed a 9% increase in SOx emissions, an 18% rise in NOx emissions, and a 25% growth in PM2.5 emissions. This surge correlates with the 23%-24% hike in the number of cruise ships, their port-adjacent time, and the fuel consumed.

Barcelona claimed the unfortunate title of Europe’s most polluted port, with cruise ships in the city emitting nearly triple the SOx compared to all city cars. Meanwhile, Venice climbed down from its previously held position as the most polluted cruise port to the 41st place, courtesy of its 2021 ban on large cruise ships.

Nevertheless, the Pollution issue isn’t confined to the Mediterranean. Norway, despite operating smaller vessels, had the highest cruise traffic in Europe. MSC Cruises was identified as the most polluting operator, its emissions nearly equating to all passenger vehicles across Europe.

A pivot to fossil gas, Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) has been seen as a cleaner alternative by operators like MSC. Although LNG does somewhat mitigate air pollution, its climate impact, particularly due to methane leaks, is significantly damaging.

The message is clear: it’s high time we collectively addressed this looming threat. Let’s urge the cruise industry to prioritize not only cleaner air but also climate-friendly alternatives. Every voyage towards sustainable shipping can be a voyage towards a healthier planet. Share this article, start the conversation, and help us #CruiseCleaner.

Solution Not Pollution by Tiny Rescue: Climate Collection

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