Royal Caribbean International will launch a new 'Icon' class of ships powered by LNG and equipped with technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company has signed an agreement with Meyer Turku for the approximately 200,000 GT vessels to be delivered between 2022 and 2024.
Meanwhile, the shipping company has announced that it will begin testing fuel cell technology in 2017 on one of its existing Oasis-class ships, as well as progressively expanding the use of this new technology on the Quantum-class ships that will be built in the coming years.
“With the Icon class, we are taking a step further towards eliminating smoke from our funnels,” said Richard Fain, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “We are focused on innovation and taking environmental responsibility. With the Icon class, we have the opportunity to achieve these goals.”.
The Icon-class ships will accommodate around 5,000 passengers, although full details are not yet available. Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, added that new features and enhancements to the passenger experience would be announced soon.
The switch to LNG provides a new impetus for the technology, which has begun to make significant advances in the cruise industry. Both Carnival Corp. & plc and MSC Cruises plan to introduce LNG-powered ships.
