A huge ship weighing 250,800 tons and accommodating 7,600 passengers.
Concerns ↑ due to high methane gas emissions from liquefied natural gas (LNG)
As the world’s largest cruise ship began sailing in the United States, it was pointed out that pollutants are emitted during the ship’s operation.
The BBC reported on the 28th (local time) that Royal Caribbean Group’s new cruise ship ‘Icon of the Seas’ set sail for the first time from Miami, Florida, USA. Icon of the Seas is a huge ship that weighs 250,800 tons and is 365 meters long, five times the size of the Titanic.
It uses liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel and has 20 decks, 7 swimming pools, 6 water slides, and 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges for dining out. It can accommodate up to 7,600 people, including crew and passengers. Royal Caribbean invested a total of $2 billion (approximately 2.67 trillion won) into ship manufacturing.
Meanwhile, environmental groups are concerned about methane gas emissions caused by the use of LNG fuel by cruise ships. LNG is known to be more environmentally friendly than general marine fuel. However, the International Commission on Clean Transportation (ICCT) reported that LNG has a greenhouse gas emission rate of more than 120% higher than marine diesel fuel.
In response, Royal Caribbean stated that Icon of the Sea’s energy efficiency is 24% higher than international standards. They also announced plans to operate carbon-neutral ships from 2035.
Argentine soccer hero Lionel Messi also attracted attention by attending the ship naming ceremony held on the 25th. Royal Caribbean is the official partner of Inter Miami CF, where Messi currently plays.
Meanwhile, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced that the cruise industry is growing rapidly with the recent surge in demand for cruises among young people. As of 2021, the global cruise market reached $75.9 billion (approximately 99.9 trillion won).
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.