A look at Icon of the Seas as it leaves the Port of Miami. Image:https://leadership.ng
The largest cruise ship in the world-Icon of the Seas.
On its inaugural journey, the largest cruise ship in the world sailed from Miami, Florida, but methane emissions from the ship have raised concerns.
There are 20 decks on the 365-meter (1,197-foot) Icon of the Seas, which can accommodate up to 7,600 guests. The Royal Caribbean Group is the owner.
The ship is leaving on a seven-day Caribbean island-hopping excursion.
Environmentalists fear that the ship fuelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) may release airborne methane, which is dangerous.
The ship, registered in the Bahamas, features six water slides and seven swimming pools. It was built at a shipyard in Turku, Finland.
It was constructed for $2 billion (£1.6 billion) and has over 40 eateries, lounges, and bars.
LNG has a higher burning efficiency than conventional maritime fuels like fuel oil, but there is a chance that part of the gas may leak and release methane into the atmosphere.
Compared to carbon dioxide, methane is a far more potent greenhouse gas.
According to Bryan Comer, who oversees the Marine Programme at the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), “it’s a step in the wrong direction,” as reported by the Reuters news agency.
“We would estimate that using LNG as a marine fuel emits over 120% more life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions than marine gas oil,” he stated.
The ICCT published a report earlier this week contending that methane emissions from ships powered by LNG were more than those expected by existing restrictions.
sculpture of a swimmer hangs above an internal courtyard – known as “Central Park” on the ship. Image: GETTY IMAGES
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that, over a 20-year period, traps 80 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Reducing these emissions is thought to be essential for reducing global warming.
According to Royal Caribbean, the Icon of the Seas has a 24% higher energy efficiency than what the International Maritime Organisation mandates for contemporary vessels. By 2035, the business intends to launch a net-zero ship.
According to the trade association Cruise Lines International Association, the cruise industry is one of the tourism sectors with the quickest growth rates, with young people showing a particular interest in cruise vacations.
According to the report, in 2021 the cruise industry brought $75 billion (£59 billion) to the world economy.
Lionel Messi, the captain of Argentina that won the World Cup and is currently a player for Inter Miami, participated in the ship’s naming ceremony on Thursday. He was observed setting a football on a specially designed stand, which set off the custom of breaking a champagne bottle against the bow of the ship in a “good luck” gesture.
The onboard water park is dubbed “Thrill Island”.Image: GETTY IMAGES
A few quick facts regarding the Seas Icon.
At 250,800 tonnes in weight and almost 365 metres (1,198 feet) in length, the Icon of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship in the world.
It is around five times bigger than the Titanic.
The ship itself was built and acquired by Royal Caribbean International for a substantial sum of €1.65 billion ($1.79 billion; £1.41 billion).
According to the Royal Caribbean website, tickets cost between $1,723 and $2,639 per person. $5,124 per person will get you a high-season cruise around Christmas.
The US Virgin Islands’ Saint Kitts and Nevis and Charlotte Amalie will be the stops on its inaugural journey.