Europe’s cruise ships pump out emissions despite curbs, FT reports

A total of 509 tons of sulphur oxides were released by 218 cruise ships in operation across Europe last, up from 465 tons in 2019, the last year of normal activity prior to the pandemic, the Financial Times’ Oliver Barnes, Steven Bernard and Barney Jopson report, citing analysis by climate lobby group Transport & Environment. The International Maritime Organization introduced a 0.5% cap on sulphur content in marine fuels in 2020, cutting sulphur emissions per ton of fuel consumed, but dozens of extra ships have been added to operators fleets since 2019, raising total emissions. Publicly traded companies in the space include Carnival (CCL), Royal Carribbean (RCL) and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH).