Cruise Ships: Polluters Of The Sea?

Cruise ships, often described as floating cities, have been under scrutiny for their environmental impact. With the cruise industry transporting over 26 million customers annually and projected to grow, concerns about pollution and emissions are rising. Cruise ships contribute to air pollution and water pollution, emitting toxic fumes and discharging sewage, fuel, and waste into the ocean. They are the biggest black carbon polluters, with cruise ships accounting for 6% of black carbon emissions despite making up only 1% of the global fleet. The impact of cruise ship pollution is significant, affecting local environments, contributing to climate change, and causing health issues such as respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. While there are laws and regulations in place to address cruise ship pollution, such as MARPOL and the Clean Water Act, the rapid expansion of the industry and the increasing size of cruise ships present ongoing challenges.

Cruise ships emit carcinogenic air pollution

Cruise ships have been described as "floating cities", and they have a significant environmental impact. They emit large amounts of air pollution, including harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxides, and soot (black carbon). These emissions have been linked to serious health issues, including respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, higher rates of cancer, and the exacerbation of asthma.

Nitrogen oxide emissions from cruise ships have been associated with higher rates of cancer and other forms of respiratory diseases. In 2019, Naturschutzbund Deutschland (Nature Protection League Germany, NABU) reviewed the emissions of 77 cruise ships and found that only one was not powered by highly polluting heavy fuel. This is concerning as cruise ships accounted for 15% of the nitrogen oxide particles emitted by Europe's passenger vehicles.

Soot or black carbon is created through the partial combustion of diesel, coal, or other biomass. It is an environmental hazard as it absorbs sunlight, contributing to the climate emergency and reducing the natural 'albedo' effect when it blankets snow or ice, leading to greater melt and warming. Cruise ships are the worst soot polluters, and while they make up only 1% of the global fleet, they account for 6% of black carbon emissions.

Sulfur oxides are another group of harmful air pollutants emitted by cruise ships. In 2022, 63 cruise ships owned by Carnival Corporation emitted 43% more sulfur oxides than all 291 million cars in Europe. Sulfur oxides have adverse effects on human health and air quality, contributing to respiratory illnesses and the formation of acid rain. While regulations have been implemented to reduce sulfur emissions from individual ships, the increasing number of cruise ships means that sulfur oxide emissions from this sector remain a significant issue.

In addition to air pollution, cruise ships also generate large amounts of waste, including sewage and wastewater, which can be dumped directly into the ocean, harming marine life and ecosystems. The cruise industry has a history of environmental violations, and there is a growing need for laws and regulations to address the pollution crisis caused by these ships.

Cruise ships pollute the ocean

Secondly, cruise ships burn enormous amounts of fuel, emitting air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter. These emissions contribute to climate change, regional warming, and air quality issues, with potential impacts on respiratory and cardiovascular health.

Thirdly, cruise ships have been known to discard trash, fuel, and hazardous wastes directly into the ocean. The improper disposal of these wastes can have detrimental effects on marine ecosystems, including coral reefs and other valuable marine life.

The impact of cruise ship pollution is significant due to the large volumes of wastes generated and the high concentration of their activities in specific coastal areas. Despite some regulatory efforts, such as the Clean Water Act and international protocols like MARPOL, there are still gaps and overlaps in the laws governing cruise ship pollution, and enforcement remains a challenge.

Environmental groups and activists have raised concerns about the rapidly expanding cruise industry and its pollution crisis. With the industry's growth and the introduction of larger ships, the pollution problem is expected to worsen unless more stringent measures are implemented and enforced.

Cruise ships produce black carbon emissions

Cruise ships are large polluters and are the biggest black carbon polluters. Larger ships make up the majority of black carbon emissions, and although cruise ships only make up 1% of the global fleet, they account for 6% of black carbon emissions. This shows how disproportionately harmful to the environment cruise ships are, releasing the highest amount of black carbon per ship of any vessel. Black carbon, or soot, is created through the partial combustion of diesel, coal, or other biomass. When inhaled, the small particles can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. It is also an environmental hazard as the dark colour of its particles means that black carbon is very good at absorbing sunlight, which heats up the atmosphere and contributes to the climate emergency. Black carbon was responsible for 6.85% of the global warming contribution from shipping in 2018, while CO2 contributed 91.32%.

The cruise industry transported over 26 million customers in 2017 and was worth upwards of $117 billion. All market projections show that the industry will continue to grow as operators build new ships, but there are growing concerns about pollution and emissions. Cruise ships have often been described as 'floating cities', and environmental groups have pointed out that they are just as polluting, if not more so. A passenger’s carbon footprint triples in a cruise, and the emissions produced can contribute to serious health issues. On top of the pollution caused by their exhaust fumes, cruise ships have been caught discarding trash, fuel, and sewage directly into the ocean.

Friends of the Earth produces an annual Cruise Ship Report Card and advocates for laws and regulations to stop cruise ships from dumping waste into the oceans, polluting beaches, and destroying marine ecology. Cruise ships produce and dump large amounts of sewage and other waste into the oceans, polluting beaches and coral reefs. A large cruise ship can generate 210,000 gallons of human sewage and 1 million gallons of greywater on a one-week voyage.

Some cruise operators are investing in liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a cleaner alternative, but LNG-powered ships can produce methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. While offering an escape to diverse cultural experiences, cruise ships cast a long shadow on the environment. Their impact on the world's most visited cruise ports is a growing concern, especially regarding air and water pollution. According to Statista, Barcelona was Europe's most sulfur-polluted cruise port in 2022, with cruise ships emitting 18,277 kilograms of sulfur dioxide. The Mediterranean region bears the brunt of cruise ship pollution, with Italy surpassing Spain as Europe's most cruise ship-polluted country.

To reduce the climate impacts of cruising, cruise ships should stop using scrubbers and instead use low-sulfur marine gas oil.

Cruise ships cause respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses

Cruise ships are major contributors to air pollution, emitting harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter. These pollutants have been linked to a range of respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.

Nitrogen oxide emissions from cruise ships have been associated with an increased risk of respiratory diseases. High levels of nitrogen oxide can irritate the respiratory system, leading to inflammation and reduced lung function. This can exacerbate existing respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Inhaling nitrogen oxide can also cause or worsen cardiovascular problems, including heart disease and high blood pressure.

Sulphur dioxide (SOx) emissions from cruise ships are another concern. Inhaling sulphur dioxide can irritate the respiratory system, leading to coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Prolonged exposure to sulphur dioxide can contribute to the development of respiratory illnesses and exacerbate existing cardiovascular conditions.

Particulate matter, or soot, released by cruise ships is also detrimental to respiratory and cardiovascular health. The small particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing irritation and inflammation. This can lead to or worsen respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Additionally, particulate matter can enter the bloodstream, affecting the heart and cardiovascular system. It can contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of stroke, and exacerbate existing cardiovascular conditions.

The impact of cruise ship pollution on respiratory and cardiovascular health is significant. Air pollution from international shipping is estimated to cause approximately 50,000 premature deaths per year in Europe alone, with a substantial cost to society. As the cruise industry continues to expand, the cumulative impact of cruise ship emissions on local communities, particularly in port cities, becomes increasingly concerning.

To address these issues, there have been calls for cruise operators to switch to cleaner fuel alternatives with lower sulphur content. However, progress has been slow, and the implementation of environmental regulations and standards for the cruise industry remains a complex challenge.

Cruise ships burn toxic heavy fuel oil

The cruise industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the tourism market, with an increasing number of passengers each year and a growing number of ships. While this means big business, it also has a significant environmental impact. Cruise ships are major polluters, and one of the key issues is the burning of toxic heavy fuel oil.

Cruise ships have been described as "floating cities", and environmental groups have pointed out that they are just as polluting, if not more so. A German watchdog group, Nabu, surveyed 77 cruise ships and found that all but one used heavy fuel oil, which Nabu described as "the dirtiest of all fuels". This type of fuel contains far more sulphur than diesel used for land vehicles. When burned, it emits huge amounts of CO2 and other pollutants. In fact, one cruise ship emits as many air pollutants as five million cars travelling the same distance.

The use of heavy fuel oil has been linked to serious health issues. The fumes from cruise ships have been shown to contribute to poor air quality in port cities, with high concentrations of pollutants. This has been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, as well as higher rates of cancer.

In response to these concerns, some groups have urged cruise operators to switch to cleaner fuel alternatives, such as marine diesel, which would significantly reduce pollution and health risks. However, few companies have heeded these calls, and the issue of cruise ship pollution remains largely unaddressed.

Frequently asked questions