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Carnival Corp. now plans scrubbers on more than 85 ships

(Photo: Anne Kalosh)
The 60 Carnival Corp. ships with scrubbers include 10 belonging to Princess Cruises
Carnival Corp. & plc said it has completed the installation and certification of exhaust gas cleaning systems on 60 ships across its brands—60% of its fleet—a $400m investment.

The company said it's on track to have scrubbers on more than 85 vessels through 2020—up from the plans for more than 70 stated in 2014 and the 32 originally announced in 2013.

Carnival uses a proprietary technology to reduce sulfur compounds and particulate matter from engine exhaust during any operating state—at sea, during maneuvering and in port. In a significant advance, the company adapted a proven land-based exhaust gas cleaning technology into a marine system that is suitable for the restricted spaces available on cruise ships.

The systems enable Carnival to meet International Maritime Organization regulations that currently cap sulfur emissions at 0.1% without having to burn costly low-sulfur fuel.

'This is part of our ongoing focus on evaluating new technologies, employing new shipbuilding techniques and implementing energy-saving initiatives throughout our fleet to protect the health and vitality of the oceans, seas and communities in which we operate,' said Carnival's Mike Kaczmarek, vp corporate marine technology.

Scrubbers are currently installed and certified on 17 Carnival Cruise Line ships, 13 Holland America Line vessels, 10 Princess Cruises ships, seven Costa Cruises vessels, five AIDA Cruises vessels, four P&O Cruises vessels, three Cunard vessels and one P&O Cruises Australia ship.