Brian Barton
Cruise liners are a major source of pollution, causing serious health and environmental problems. The cruise industry transported over 26 million customers last year and was worth over $117 billion in 2017, with projections showing that the industry will continue to grow. As cruise ships get bigger, so does the scale of the pollution they cause. Cruise ships emit air pollutants, including sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter, which can lead to serious health issues such as lung cancer, throat cancer, and cardiovascular disease. They also generate large volumes of sewage, wastewater, and hazardous waste, which is often dumped into the ocean, further aggravating environmental issues. The rapidly expanding cruise ship industry has triggered a pollution crisis, with environmental laws struggling to keep pace.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sewage | A large cruise ship with over 7,000 passengers and crew generates 210,000 gallons of human sewage and 1 million gallons of greywater in a week |
| Air pollution | Cruise ships emit sulphur oxide (SOx), nitrogen oxide (NOx), fine particles (PM2.5), soot, heavy metals, and other particulates into the air |
| Health risks | Air pollution from cruise ships can cause lung cancer, throat cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular diseases, and childhood asthma |
| Fuel usage | Cruise ships typically use heavy fuel oil, which is highly polluting and contains 3,500 times more sulphur than diesel used for land vehicles |
| Environmental impact | Cruise ships generate large volumes of oily bilge water, sewage sludge, garbage, and hazardous wastes, impacting the oceans and marine life |
| Pollution in port cities | Cities like Barcelona, Southampton, Marseilles, and Venice have high levels of air pollution due to cruise ships docking in their ports |
| Number of passengers | The cruise industry transported over 26 million customers in a year, and the number is expected to grow |
| Economic impact | The cruise industry was worth upwards of $117 billion in 2017, with a total output of $119.9 billion worldwide in 2015 |
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What You'll Learn
Cruise ships burn as much fuel as whole towns
The cruise industry is facing increasing scrutiny as environmental groups and governments call for a reduction in the pollutants that cruise ships emit into the ocean and the air. The cruise industry transported over 26 million customers last year and was worth upwards of $117 billion in 2017. The industry is projected to continue growing, but there are growing concerns about pollution and emissions.
Cruise ships burn large amounts of fuel, emitting pollutants into the air that can lead to serious public health problems and contribute to global warming. Marine pollution analysts in Germany and Brussels estimate that a large cruise ship burns at least 150 tonnes of fuel per day. According to Axel Friedrich, a leading independent German pollution analyst, a single large cruise ship emits over five tonnes of NOX emissions and 450 kg of ultra-fine particles per day.
Bill Hemmings, a marine expert at the Brussels-based Transport and Environment group, states that "these ships burn as much fuel as whole towns". He adds that cruise ships "use a lot more power than container ships, and even when they burn low-sulphur fuel, it's 100 times worse than road diesel". The heavy fuel oil used by cruise ships can contain up to 3,500 times more sulphur than diesel used for land vehicles. Additionally, ships lack exhaust abatement technologies, such as particulate filters, which are standard in passenger cars and lorries.
The air pollution emitted by cruise ships has been linked to asthma and chest diseases in port cities such as Southampton, which is Europe's busiest cruise terminal. Up to five large liners can be berthed in Southampton's docks simultaneously, with their engines running 24/7. As a result, locals complain about the worsening air pollution and are pushing for the ships to use shore power. Environmental groups in Southampton and the regional government in Marseille have implemented emissions tests and fines for offending cruise lines.
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Cruise ships emit as much pollution as millions of cars
The cruise industry is a rapidly growing sector in the mass tourism market, with an increasing number of passengers each year. In 2016, 24 million passengers were expected to sail, compared to 15 million in 2006 and 1.4 million in 1980. The industry generated $119.9 billion in total output worldwide in 2015 and was worth upwards of $117 billion in 2017. However, as the industry expands, so do concerns about pollution and emissions.
Cruise ships run on heavy fuel oil, which can contain 3,500 times more sulphur than diesel used for land vehicles. They lack exhaust abatement technologies like particulate filters that are standard in passenger cars and lorries. As a result, the air quality on deck can be as bad as the world's most polluted cities. According to a 2019 study by Transport & Environment, European port cities like Southampton, Marseilles, Venice, and Antwerp suffer from air pollution due to the booming cruise industry.
While there are new technologies aimed at reducing waste produced by cruise liners, such as onboard incineration plants, recycling programs, and cheaper, less polluting fuel options like LNG, the cruise industry's environmental impact remains significant. The rapidly expanding size and number of cruise ships have triggered a national cruise ship pollution crisis, and new laws and standards are urgently needed to hold the industry accountable for its emissions and pollution.
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Cruise ships generate large volumes of sewage
The dumping of sewage and other pollutants into the ocean has aggravated environmental groups and governments, leading to widespread condemnation of the cruise industry's practices. In addition to sewage, cruise ships also generate large amounts of oily bilge water, sewage sludge, garbage, and hazardous wastes. The rapidly expanding size and number of cruise ships have triggered a national cruise ship pollution crisis, as environmental laws have not kept pace with the industry's growth.
Cruise ships often travel through pristine waters, dumping their sewage and other pollutants along the way. This has led to calls for new laws and standards to regulate the industry and protect sensitive marine environments. The lack of homogenized standards and strictly enforced international rules allows the cruise industry to continue side-stepping potential solutions to the sewage pollution issue.
While some technologies aimed at reducing waste, such as onboard incineration plants and recycling programs, are available, their effectiveness is limited without mandatory adoption across the industry. The sewage generated by cruise ships poses a significant threat to marine life and ecosystems, as well as to public health, contributing to waterborne diseases and other negative impacts.
Overall, the large volumes of sewage produced by cruise ships, coupled with inadequate regulations and enforcement, pose a serious environmental and public health challenge that requires urgent attention and comprehensive solutions. Sewage treatment and disposal systems that meet stringent environmental standards are necessary to mitigate the impact of cruise ship sewage on the marine environment and human health.
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Cruise ships produce particulate emissions
The cruise industry is a rapidly growing sector of the tourism industry, with over 26 million customers transported and a value of over $117 billion in 2017. However, as the industry expands, concerns about pollution and emissions are also growing.
The burning of heavy fuel oil, also known as bunker oil or marine fuel, is a significant contributor to particulate emissions from cruise ships. This type of fuel contains up to 3,500 times more sulphur than diesel used in land vehicles. As a result, cruise ships emit large amounts of sulphur oxide (SOx) into the atmosphere, which can form sulphate aerosols that are harmful to human health. In 2017, cruise ships emitted 32.8 tonnes of SOx in Barcelona alone, with similar issues in other European port cities like Palma de Mallorca, Venice, and Southampton.
To address the issue of particulate emissions from cruise ships, some ports, such as Marseilles and Southampton, have implemented emissions tests and fines for offending cruise lines. Additionally, there are new technologies available, such as onboard incineration plants and cheaper, less polluting fuel options like LNG. However, without homogenized standards and strictly enforced international regulations, the cruise industry may continue to sidestep these potential solutions.
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Cruise ships are a fast-growing sector in the tourism market
The cruise industry is a rapidly expanding sector in the tourism market, with an increasing number of passengers opting for cruise vacations each year. In 2016, the industry served 24 million passengers, a significant increase from 15 million in 2006 and just 1.4 million in 1980. This growth shows no signs of slowing down, with the industry generating almost $120 billion in total output worldwide in 2015 and supporting nearly a million full-time equivalent jobs.
However, as the cruise industry expands, so do concerns about its environmental impact. Cruise ships are major contributors to air and water pollution, particularly in port cities. They emit large amounts of sulphur oxide (SOx), nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2), soot, heavy metals, and other particulates into the atmosphere. These emissions have severe health implications, including respiratory issues, lung and throat cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and childhood asthma.
The burning of heavy fuel oil, or bunker oil, is a significant source of pollution from cruise ships. This fuel contains up to 3,500 times more sulphur than diesel used in land vehicles, and ships lack the exhaust abatement technologies standard in cars and trucks. As a result, a single cruise ship can emit as much pollution as millions of cars, impacting the air quality of port cities like Southampton, Barcelona, and Marseille.
To address these issues, environmental groups and governments are advocating for stricter regulations and the implementation of new technologies. Some cruise lines have adopted onboard incineration plants, recycling programs, and alternative fuels like LNG. However, without homogenized standards and strong international enforcement, the industry may continue to sidestep these solutions. As nations strive to reduce their carbon emissions, the cruise industry will need to prioritize sustainability and responsible practices to maintain its growth in the tourism market.
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Frequently asked questions
Cruise liners are highly polluting. They emit large amounts of sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, phosphorus, soot, heavy metals, and other particulates into the atmosphere. They also generate large volumes of oily bilge water, sewage sludge, garbage, and hazardous wastes.
Cruise liners emit as much pollution as several million cars. A single cruise ship can emit as much pollution as 700 trucks and as much particulate matter as a million cars.
Cruise liner pollution has been linked to serious public health problems, including lung cancer, throat cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular diseases, and childhood asthma. It is estimated that over 50,000 Europeans die prematurely every year as a result of shipping-based pollution.
