Industrial, Sourcing Renewables  -  October 31, 2022

Royal Caribbean Sails Using Renewable Fuel

Royal Caribbean Group sailed a cruise ship from a U.S. port while using renewable diesel fuel.

The fuel was used to meet part of the needs when Navigator of the Seas set sail from the Port of Los Angeles. The use of renewable fuel will reduce the ship's carbon emissions.

This step in the Group's pursuit of alternative fuels comes less than a year after the unveiling of Destination Net Zero, Royal Caribbean Group's comprehensive decarbonization strategy.

"We are committed to investing in technologies and innovations that will help us reduce emissions and fulfill our purpose to deliver great vacations responsibly," said Laura Hodges Bethge, Royal Caribbean Group's Executive Vice President, Shared Services Operations, in a statement. "As we celebrate this milestone, we continue to set our sights on other leading alternative solutions to meet our net zero goals."

The renewable fuel being used by Navigator of the Seas contains less carbon than traditional marine fuels. While this fuel is produced from renewable raw materials, the production process for this fuel makes it molecularly identical to traditional marine gas oil — creating a "drop in" fuel that can be safely used with the ship's existing engines.

In addition to testing the use of biofuel aboard Navigator of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Group is set to debut the cruise industry's first hybrid-powered ship in summer 2023 as part of Silversea Cruises newest class of ships, the Nova class. The Group is also working to reduce emissions while at port by investing in shore power on its ships and collaborating with key cruise ports for its use.