Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) have revealed that they plan to power their new “Icon” class of ships with alternative fuels – namely hydrogen fuel-cell technology and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The application of fuel cell technology, which generates electricity by exposing hydrogen to an electrode, onboard cruise ships will make RCCL a pioneer. Their choice of LNG to power their ships will put them as the second cruise line to order ships that are LNG fuel-ready, behind competitors Carnival Corporation.
The use of fuel cells by RCCL is not solely limited to the new Icon class however, the cruise line will in fact begin testing fuel cell technology onboard an existing Oasis class ship in 2017. RCCL have also said that they will run progressively larger fuel cell testing on the new Quantum class vessels being built in the next few years.
Richard Fain, chairman and chief executive officer, RCCL says: “With Icon class, we move further in the journey to take the smoke out of our smokestacks.”
According to another representative of RCCL, the company has been watching fuel-cell technology develop over the past decade and believe it is at the stage for investment particularly due to the fact that as the technology becomes smaller and more efficient, fuel cells become a more viable way to power the ship’s hotel functions
RCCL has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland to build the ships. They are scheduled to be delivered in 2022 and 2024.
