The Icon of the Seas set sail from the Port of Miami this Saturday amid questions about its greenhouse gas emissions.
The longest cruise in the world officially departed. He Icon of the Seas It left this Saturday from the port of Miami, in the United States and will tour the Eastern Caribbean for seven days. However, the Royal Caribbean ship inaugurationof 365 meters long and 20 decks, it was surrounded by reviews from environmental specialists who pointed out the strong impact on the environment left by their liquefied gas propulsion since it generates “more than one 120% greenhouse gas emissions during its life cycle.”
The cruise transports 7,600 passengers and has luxurious facilities: seven pools, six slides and more than 40 gastronomic establishments between restaurants, bars and lounges. Its construction cost two billion dollars and is considered one of the most luxurious cruise ships in the world.
The baptism ceremony took place last Thursday at the port of Miami and was attended by Lionel Messi. The Argentine player, who is in preseason with Inter Miami, put a soccer ball on a stage and wished him “good luck” to the boatbefore the traditional Breaking a bottle of champagne on the bow of the boat.
Environmental organizations took aim at the world’s longest cruise ship
Despite the celebrations surrounding the inauguration of Icon of the Seashis departure was overshadowed by the strong criticism generated by the environmental impact that generates the ship.
The huge vessel runs on liquefied natural gas (LNG), which burns faster than common marine fuel, but has greater risks in methane emissions. Various environmental groups propose that the leaks of this gas from their engines are a ““unacceptable risk to the climate due to its long-term harmful effects”.
Bryan Cornerdirector of International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) Marine Programstated in statements to Reuters that “this is a step in the wrong direction.” He detailed: “We estimate that the use of LNG as a fuel emits more than 120% more greenhouse gas emissions during its life cycle than marine diesel.
A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean responded to the environmentalists’ accusations and stressed that the Icon of the Seas “is a 24% more energy efficient than the International Maritime Organization requires for modern ships. The company plans to introduce a ship with net zero emissions by 2035“.
Source: Ambito
