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Carnival Corp. efficiency program to cut fuel use 5%-10% per ship

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Bill Burke said these tailored Service Power Packages build on previous investments to increase efficiency and reduce emissions as part of Carnival Corp.'s comprehensive approach to sustainability
Carnival Corp. & plc is rolling out technology upgrades across its nine brands to cut fuel consumption, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

The so-called Service Power Packages are expected to lower fuel consumption an average of 5% to 10% per ship for a reduction of more than 500,000 metric tons of CO2 emittted each year. In addition to the environmental benefits, the program upon completion is projected to save more than $150m a year in fuel costs.

The comprehensive program entails ongoing installations through 2023 aboard the ships of Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Cunard and P&O Cruises Australia.

HVAC, lighting, automation systems upgrades

Developed over the past six years, the program involves air conditioning upgrades to cabins and public areas, and major enhancements to cooling, lighting and automation systems. Adjusting for variations in ship design, size and equipment, the company customizes the Service Power Package for each ship, which combines the synergies from multiple upgrades with new operational efficiencies, all supporting Carnival Corp.'s energy savings and decarbonization strategies.

Upgrades to HVAC systems, accounting for 25% of a ship’s energy consumption, will improve hotel ventilation efficiency using sophisticated variable speed drives and on-demand systems throughout public areas, cabins and galleys. Additionally, indoor air quality is continuously monitored and maintained to high standards using an industry-leading air filtration and ultraviolet-C treatment throughout the ship.

Further upgrades are to variable speed drives and on-demand automated control systems for engine room ventilation, main air conditioning chillers and cooling pumps, which together dramatically lower the energy needed to deliver cooling.

The latest LED lighting systems installed throughout each ship will reduce both power consumption and heat load generation, creating a dual benefit from lower air conditioning demand.

Remote monitoring and maintenence improvements

As well, remote monitoring and maintenance improvements maximize benefits from the upgrade packages, including improved instrumentation and automated management systems, with nonstop ship-to-shore connectivity. Expanded remote monitoring and analysis of each ship’s energy performance and technical status ensure peak efficiency and minimal down times.

'Based on our improved fleet composition, including adding six industry-leading LNG-powered ships, and our previous investments to increase efficiency and reduce emissions, our absolute carbon emissions peaked in 2011 despite significant capacity growth over the past decade,' said Bill Burke, chief maritime officer for Carnival Corp. 'These tailored Service Power Packages further build on those efforts as part of our comprehensive approach to sustainability.'

More than $350m toward energy efficiency since 2016

The fleetwide enhancements are part of the company's ongoing energy efficiency investment program and efforts to reduce fuel consumption, including more than $350m toward energy efficiency improvements since 2016, along with the company’s fleet optimization strategy and more efficient itineraries.

Projected 10% fuel reduction per ALBD

Together, these efforts are expected to drive a 10% reduction in fuel consumption per available lower berth day in the Carnival Corp. fleet's first full year of passenger operations compared to 2019, along with a 9% reduction in carbon emissions per lower berth distance traveled.

The company has committed to reducing carbon emission intensity by 20% from its 2019 baseline by 2030, supporting its aspiration to achieve net carbon-neutral ship operations by 2050.

Carnival's sustainability efforts are detailed here.