The world’s largest cruise ship sets sail from Miami
The largest cruise ship in the world has embarked on its inaugural journey from Miami, Florida, sparking concerns over its methane emissions.
Spanning 365 meters (1,197 feet) in length, the Icon of the Seas boasts 20 decks and accommodates a maximum of 7,600 passengers. Royal Caribbean Group is the proud owner of this vessel.
Setting sail for a seven-day Caribbean island-hopping adventure, the ship’s use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) has drawn criticism from environmentalists due to potential methane leaks.
Constructed at a shipyard in Turku, Finland, and registered in the Bahamas, the ship features seven swimming pools and six water slides among its amenities.
With a construction cost of $2 billion (£1.6 billion) and over 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges, the Icon of the Seas aims to redefine luxury cruising.
Despite LNG’s reputation for cleaner burning compared to traditional marine fuels like fuel oil, concerns persist regarding methane leakage, a greenhouse gas significantly more potent than carbon dioxide.
Bryan Comer, director of the Marine Programme at the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), expressed reservations about the vessel’s environmental impact, noting that LNG usage might result in over 120% more lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than marine gas oil.
A recent report from the ICCT highlighted that methane emissions from LNG-fueled ships surpassed assumptions made by current regulations.
A powerful greenhouse gas, methane in the atmosphere traps 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide over 20 years. Cutting these emissions is seen as crucial to slowing down global warming.
Royal Caribbean says the Icon of the Seas is 24% more energy efficient than required by the International Maritime Organization for modern ships. The company plans to introduce a net-zero ship by 2035.
The cruise industry is one of the fastest growing sectors of tourism, with young people in particular interested in cruise holidays, according to the trade body Cruise Lines International Association.
It said the cruise industry contributed $75bn (£59bn) to the global economy in 2021.
On Thursday, Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami, took part in the ship’s naming ceremony. He was seen placing a football on a specially built stand to trigger the traditional “good luck” breaking of a champagne bottle against the vessel’s bow.
