Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's largest cruise company, is advancing fuel efficiency through innovative hull designs, advanced propulsion technologies, and the implementation of underwater drone inspections and cleaning trials. These initiatives aim to enhance hydrodynamic performance and reduce underwater drag, thereby decreasing fuel consumption and lowering greenhouse gas emissions across the company's global fleet.
Key strategies include:
- Hull Design Optimization: Utilizing computer-assisted analysis, designers conduct extensive simulations to identify optimal hull configurations tailored to various sailing conditions.
- Trim Optimization: Onboard software adjusts ballast water distribution to maintain the vessel's optimal trim, ensuring efficient propulsion.
- Podded Propulsion Systems: 40+ ships in the fleet are equipped with 360-degree steerable podded propulsion units, offering up to a 7% increase in efficiency compared to traditional propellers.
- Air Lubrication Systems (ALS): More than 10% of the fleet features ALS technology, which introduces air bubbles along the hull to reduce water resistance, achieving fuel consumption reductions of 5% or more. Plans are in place to retrofit an additional 10 ships with ALS over the next 3 years.
- Underwater Hull Maintenance: Trials involving drones and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are underway to monitor hull coatings and perform cleaning operations. These technologies aim to optimize maintenance schedules, manage marine growth, and enhance cleaning efficiency without compromising hull integrity.
These comprehensive measures underscore Carnival Corporation's commitment to operational efficiency and environmental stewardship, aligning with its goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.