Partnering for innovation

As the cruise industry progresses towards a decarbonised future, a primary challenge is the availability of the right fuels and technologies that work today – and for the future.  The cruise industry is embracing this challenge, driving investment in research, and its partners have a critical role to play.

Maikel Arts, General Manager, Market Innovation from marine technology manufacturer, Wärtsilä, explains how a flexible fuel strategy can help to create pathways to decarbonisation.

Today’s marine engines can be adapted to accommodate new fuels expected to become available in future. Storage, handling, and fuel supply can be more complicated given the properties of new fuels, but the challenges are not insurmountable, especially for vessels built with future conversions in mind.A fuel that can help the transition to new fuels is liquified natural gas (LNG). LNG offers immediate benefits including a reduction of sulphur emissions to zero, particulate emissions by 98%, NOx emissions by 85%, and CO2 emissions by a quarter. Use of LNG also paves the way for new fuels of the future, such as synthetic LNG.  Bio and synthetic LNG can be used initially as drop-in fuels alongside conventional LNG and later, as supply increases, potentially replace it entirely. Engines and fuel supply systems designed for LNG require no changes to use bio or synthetic LNG, and the experience and training gained is also important.

There are many gas and liquid fuel options being tested successfully on Wärtsilä engines. Production and refuelling capability at ports (bunkering) will also play a key role.  As well as being compatible with existing LNG engines, future carbon-neutral fuels can also be used in bunkering infrastructure that has already been established for LNG.  

Ultimately, a flexible fuel strategy can be an excellent base to transition to ever more environmentally friendly fuels as they emerge.