On February 26th, 2025, while NCL's Norwegian Epic was berthed at Road Town, Tortola (British Virgin Islands), local authorities observed a white plume emanating from the vessel, prompting an environmental assessment.
The Environmental Health Division (EHD), at the behest of the Ministry of Communications and Works, conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the emissions. Measurements for carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide were taken to ascertain any potential impact on air quality. The findings indicated that all readings were within normal ranges, ensuring no compromise to the safety and well-being of passengers and the local community.
The EHD reported that the visible plume primarily consisted of water vapor, a byproduct of the ship's Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS), commonly referred to as scrubbers. This technology is designed to significantly reduce sulfur oxide emissions, ensuring compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards and MARPOL Annex VI regulations.
During the assessment, the ship's Environmental Officer cooperated fully, providing necessary documentation, including the EGCS emissions report and Certificate of Conformity, confirming the vessel's adherence to international environmental regulations.
To further enhance air quality at the port, the EHD recommended that the Norwegian Epic switch from using scrubbers to low-sulfur fuel while at berth. The Environmental Officer expressed willingness to consider this recommendation, planning to transition to marine gas oil within one hour of berthing and revert back one hour prior to departure on future visits to Tortola.
This proactive approach underscores the commitment of both the Norwegian Epic and local authorities to maintaining a clean and healthy environment for all.
For more Norwegian Epic incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.