Innovative engines that can run on three different types of fuel, including clean-burning methanol, will power a fifth Edge-class ship being built for Celebrity Cruises.
“By incorporating tri-fueled engines, we are ensuring that as alternative, low-carbon-based solutions become more viable, our ships will be ready to adapt and drive the industry forward to a more sustainable and net-zero emissions future,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Fort Lauderdale.
The ship named Celebrity Xcel, is planned for delivery from French shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique in late 2025. The power plants are two 8-cylinder engines built by marine technology company Wärtsilä, which has a research program aiming at shifting to carbon-neutral fuels for ships. Using methanol fuel significantly reduces emissions of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.
“With the launch of our Edge series of ships in 2018, we set ambitious sustainability goals to make these ships the most energy efficient large vessels at sea,” Celebrity Cruises CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said during the Seatrade event. “Working collaboratively with our partners, we have continued to develop new technologies and achieve breakthroughs with each subsequent ship.”
Royal Caribbean Group, has been developing a broad portfolio of technologies that improve energy efficiency, waste treatment, and water management. Its goal is net zero emissions across the fleet by 2050.
A fourth ship in the Edge class, Celebrity Ascent, started sailing in November, 2023 for Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale.
Wallace Immen, The Cruisington Times
