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A leading cruise line’s decision to order four natural gas-powered ships has been highlighted by the Gibraltar Government in the ongoing row over proposals to develop LNG bunkering infrastructure.
Carnival Cruise Corporation has ordered four huge cruise ships that will be powered by LNG hybrid engines and carry up to 6,600 passengers, giving them the largest guest capacity in the world.
“This demonstrates that the use of LNG is becoming mainstream around the world and in particular in the shipping industry,” said Chief Minister Fabian Picardo in a statement.
“It also demonstrates how safe a fuel LNG is. An American corporation like Carnival Cruises would not put 6,500 passengers in a situation of unacceptable risk or danger.” “As a Government we have already got in touch with Carnival to ensure that we see these new ships, which will be the largest cruise ships in the world, call at Gibraltar, refuelling and bringing us huge numbers of tourists.”
The four ships will be delivered in 2019 and 2020 and at least two of them will operated by one of the corporation’s European subsidiaries, AIDA Cruises.
“Pioneering a new era in the use of sustainable fuels, the four new ships will be the first in the cruise industry to use LNG in dual-powered hybrid engines to power the ship both in port and on the open sea,” Carnival said in a statement yesterday.
“LNG will be stored on board and used to generate 100% power at sea – producing another industry-first innovation for Carnival Corporation and its brands.”
“Using LNG to power the ships in port and at sea will eliminate emissions of soot particles and sulphur oxides.”
The statement by Carnival was flagged up by the Gibraltar Government as evidence of the shift in the maritime industry toward the use of LNG as a fuel.
The government is exploring the possibility of establishing LNG bunkering operations alongside infrastructure for a new power station powered by gas and diesel. But the project has drawn flak from the Opposition, which has expressed serious concerns about the safety of siting LNG operations so close to built-up areas.
Last week, the GSD revealed a report by leading risk assessor Lloyd’s Register that concluded LNG operations in the North Mole and Detached Mole could pose “potentially intolerable risks”. The government responded that the report was based on incomplete data about its proposals.
Yesterday Mr Picardo renewed the government’s criticism of the GSD’s position on this issue.
“Given that the Opposition have already said that they will not allow LNG bunkering or the operation of an LNG facility storage and regasification facility, which is exactly what these vessels have on board, the public can clearly see that the position of Mr Feetham is highly detrimental to Gibraltar’s economic interests, from tourism to bunkering and the cost of electricity generation,” he said.
“Would he now propose to ban these Carnival ships coming to Gibraltar? Would he ban Gibraltarians from cruising on them?”
“The nonsensical nature of the GSD’s arguments is slowly being exposed. The danger to our economy of their opportunistic position is becoming palpable.”
“The safe future of marine propulsion, power generation and bunkering is clearly in the use of LNG. That is where we will position Gibraltar for maximum economic advantage.”
Source: Gibraltar Chronicle.
