Methanol the best decarbonization solution: Del Rio

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'The best decarbonization solution today is methanol,' Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, said Thursday.

Having committed to pursue net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, 'We're going to do everything we can. We're going to invest vast amounts of money,' Del Rio said during the company's investor day aboard Norwegian Prima in New York.

Whatever it takes

'We're going to do whatever science allows us to do,' he continued. 'We're hoping that biodiesel fuels come along. We're now looking at how to convert several of our newbuilds to methanol fuel, which we believe is the best chance of decarbonization based on the science we have today.'

Aiming to test by 2025

As earlier reported, NCLH joined the Methanol Institute this year and is assessing the feasibility of retrofitting engines to operate with dual fuels – diesel and methanol – with the goal to test the use of methanol by 2025.