Amid worries about the ship’s methane emissions, the largest cruise ship in the world sailed on its inaugural journey from Miami, Florida.
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 tropical island hopping excursion.
However, environmentalists are concerned that the ship’s methane leak—which is harmful—will occur due to its liquefied natural gas power.
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.
In comparison to marine gas oil, we estimate that using LNG as a marine fuel generates around 120% greater life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions,” the speaker stated.
In a paper published earlier this week, the ICCT made the case that methane emissions from ships powered by LNG were greater than what is currently thought to be the case.
Compared to conventional maritime fuels like fuel oil, LNG burns cleaner, however there is a chance of leakage.
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.
Media publications cite a Royal Caribbean official as stating that Icon of the Seas is 24% more energy efficient than what the International Maritime Organization requires for contemporary
By 2035, the business intends to launch a net-zero ship.
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 up a football on a specially designed stand, which would cause the customary “good luck” champagne bottle to shatter against the ship’s bow.
Building Icon of the Seas cost $2 billion (£1.6 billion). It presently has over 40 eateries, bars, and lounges in addition to seven swimming pools and six waterslides.
