This week, Royal Caribbean Group has laid the groundwork to definitively boost the use of alternative fuels in the industry after successfully completing a 12-week biofuel trial in Europe.
The company's unwavering pursuit of low-emission energy solutions is guided by its SEA the Future , which focuses on the planet's sustainability, community empowerment, and accelerating innovation. Royal Caribbean Group is making progress in decarbonizing its operations.
“This is a pivotal moment in Royal Caribbean Group’s journey toward alternative fuels,” said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “Following this summer’s successful biofuel trial, we are one step closer to achieving our vision of a zero-emissions cruise. With our ongoing efforts to protect and promote the oceans we sail, we want to accelerate innovation and enhance how we deliver vacations responsibly.”
Symphony of the Seas has become the first ship in the maritime industry to successfully test and use a biofuel blend in Barcelona to meet some of its energy needs. The company has confirmed that the onboard technical systems met operating standards without affecting quality or safety, demonstrating that the biofuel blend is a safe alternative for low-emission energy supply.
“Royal Caribbean’s success is a clear example of how a commitment to innovation makes it possible to develop solutions to decarbonize the maritime sector. In this case, it’s the cruise sector and focuses on biofuels, an area in which the Port of Barcelona is already working to become an energy hub, producing and supplying zero-carbon fuels, such as green hydrogen and ammonia, and other near-zero-emission alternatives like methanol, biofuels, and synthetic fuels. Innovation and collaboration between ports and shipping companies are key to accelerating the decarbonization of maritime transport,” stated the President of the Port of Barcelona, Lluís Salvadó.
The company began testing biofuels last year and has expanded the test this summer with two more ships in Europe: the aforementioned Symphony of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International and the Celebrity Apex from Celebrity Cruises.
The proven sustainable biofuel blends have been achieved by purifying renewable raw materials such as used oils and fats in combination with fuel oil to create an alternative fuel that is cleaner and more sustainable.
Both the Symphony of the Seas, departing from the Port of Barcelona, and the Celebrity Apex, departing from the Port of Rotterdam, have successfully completed multiple routes using biofuel, providing critical data on its capabilities. These results will help accelerate Royal Caribbean Group's plans to continue testing the use of different types of biofuels on upcoming cruises in Europe this fall.
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