Giant ship Disney Adventure: environmental rescue or coal crisis?

Giant ship Disney Adventure: environmental rescue or coal crisis?

In Bremerhaven they are working on an impressive treasure of the sea: the “Disney Adventure”, the largest cruise ship ever built in Germany. The majestic 346 meter long ship, which can accommodate up to 6,700 guests, is currently in Bremerhaven and is receiving the final equipment work before it is handed over to the Disney Group in October. Not only is it a symbol of luxury and adventure, but it is also the setting for an innovative roller coaster that stretches over 250 meters. Such highs continue to drive passenger numbers in the cruise industry, which is recovering strongly and expects a 15% increase in 2024 compared to the dismal pandemic years.

Cruises remain popular and are seen by many travelers as an affordable way to explore multiple destinations. In 2022, the German Travel Association counted over three million passengers on ocean cruises. But despite these positive developments, there are dark clouds on the horizon, as cruises are criticized for their environmentally harmful effects. Many older ships still run on heavy fuel oil, while new concepts such as the “Disney Adventure” are equipped with methanol propulsion. Nevertheless, the industry has the goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050, with experts estimating the probability of achieving this goal at around 30 percent without political regulation. With regulations, the probability is significantly higher at 60 to 70 percent, shows [butenunbinnen].

Sustainability put to the test

The discussion about the sustainability of cruises is complex. It's no secret that cruise ships produce huge emissions. According to the Federal Environment Agency, a passenger on a seven-day tour of the Canary Islands emits around 0.95 tonnes of CO2 equivalents. The German Nature Conservation Association (NABU) criticizes the fact that no shipping company has yet implemented consistent climate protection measures. In addition, the NABU cruise ranking 2024 shows that even the better providers such as “Mein Schiff” and “Hurtigruten” still have a lot to do to be truly climate-friendly, while “Carnival” and “Marella” are at the bottom of the rankings. After all, some brands stand out through measures designed to reduce their ecological footprint.

A major environmental impact of the industry is the immense consumption of resources. Waste disposal at sea is often less regulated, which increases the ecological footprint enormously. Technologies such as scrubbers and alternative propulsion systems such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) are increasingly being integrated into fleets to reduce pollutants. But there is still a lot of room for improvement, especially with regard to the high greenhouse gas emissions. Education and awareness of sustainable practices are essential so that travelers can contribute to reducing their ecological footprint, as highlighted on [sustainability-economy].

With advances in technology and an increasing awareness of sustainable practices in the cruise industry, the signs are pointing to change. It remains to be seen how quickly this can be implemented and whether the luxury and adventure factor of cruises can also be consistent with environmentally friendly solutions. The future of the cruise industry will undoubtedly be a challenge, but also an opportunity for improvement and more sustainable forms of vacation.