Europe Cruise Ship Emissions Equal To One Billion Cars, And It Gets Worse

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The number is so staggering it does not make sense. A 2023 study from Transport & Environment found, “Europe’s 218 cruise ships emitted more sulphur oxides (SOX) than 1 billion cars in 2022, or 4.4 times more than all the continent’s cars.” The study also listed the cities most affected by the sulfur oxides emissions. Barcelona ranked first. Lisbon, Southampton, and Hamburg were in the top 10.

The study, “How Luxury Cruises Are Polluting European Cities” is a window into an industry among the world’s largest polluters.

More transportation–EV car of the year.

More on pollution–poor cities.

A recent research paper from the Marine Pollution Bulletin pointed out that a large cruise ship has a carbon footprint similar to 12,000 cars. The 2022 Cruise Ship Report Card painted an even grimmer picture. “For decades, the cruise industry’s business practices have put the environment, climate, and public health of coastal communities, passengers, crew, and coastal and marine ecosystems at risk.” This includes data showing both extreme air and water pollution. The industry produces one billion gallons of sewage each year. Carnival Cruise, Viking, and Royal Caribbean were called out as the cruise lines that did the most damage.

Marine Insight’s “8 Ways Cruise Ships Can Cause Marine Pollution” identified ballast water pollution, air pollution, noise pollution, grey water pollution, blackwater/ sewage pollution, chemical pollution, oil pollution/ bilge oil pollution, and solid waste pollution as the largest problems.

Carnival Cruises Makes Billions

The cruise business is huge and highly profitable. Carnival Corporation had revenue of $21.6 billion last year, which was a record. It had an operating income of $2 billion for the same period. The year’s final quarter was even better, with record revenue of $5.4 billion. “We ended the year on a high note with another record-breaking quarter that exceeded expectations and achieved positive full year adjusted net income. In fact, we consistently outperformed in all four quarters of the year, buoyed by a strengthening demand environment across all our brands,” commented Carnival Corporation & plc’s Chief Executive Officer Josh Weinstein. Over the last year, the company’s stock has grown by 50%, and its market cap is $21 billion.

Has the cruise industry aggressively addressed its tremendous pollution problem? There is no evidence it has, but it has the money to do so. Royal Caribbean just launched its new “Icon of the Seas.” It is the world’s largest cruise ship. It cost the company $2 billion to build. CNBC reported: “The launch of the giant floating resort has sparked renewed concerns about the environmental impact of cruise tourism.” Based on the industry’s track record, larger ships will be built in the future.