Two Royal Caribbean Group ships to test biofuel in Europe

The sustainable fuel will meet part of the ships’ fuel needs while contributing data and research on biofuel’s capabilities and supply chain infrastructure needed to further the cruising's alternative fuel ambitions.

From Rotterdam and Barcelona 

During the three-month test, Celebrity Apex will depart from the Port of Rotterdam and Symphony of the Seas from the Port of Barcelona using a biofuel blend that reduces the ships’ carbon emissions. The blend is produced by purifying renewable raw materials like oils and fats and combining it with fuel oil to create an alternative fuel that is cleaner and more sustainable. 

'Biofuels will play an increasingly important role in achieving, not only our own, but the entire maritime sector's decarbonization goals in the short and medium term,' Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty said. 'We take great pride in continuing to push our industry forward in exploring innovative fuel solutions that reduce carbon impact and preserve the vibrancy of the oceans we sail.'

Scale up planned

Royal Caribbean Group plans to continue increasing the use of alternative lower carbon fuel to meet the needs of its ships across the fleet. After the trials are completed this summer, the company intends to scale up the use of alternative fuels, including biofuels, across further European summer sailings. 

'With the completion of the trials our hope is to advance our ships’ ability to meaningfully reduce emissions and propel forward strategic partnerships with suppliers and ports to ensure there is sufficient availability of biofuel and infrastructures to make maritime energy transition a reality,' Liberty said.  

Follows US trial in late 2022

This latest initiative follows a biofuel trial on Royal Caribbean's California-based Navigator of the Seas, which became the first cruise ship to sail from a US port while using renewable diesel fuel last fall.