In conjunction with Earth Day, Carnival Cruise Line on Thursday released a new video, “LNG Powers the Fun,” discussing the environmental benefits of liquefied natural gas as fuel and its new LNG-powered ships.
Carnival’s Mardi Gras will debut later this year from Port Canaveral, while Carnival Celebration should enter service from PortMiami in 2022.
Working closely with the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, its energy and technology partner, Shell, the teams at Port Canaveral and PortMiami, and a host of other parties, Carnival claims it is the first cruise line to bring LNG to North America on these two new 180,000-ton Excel-class ships.
Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration are among nine Excel-class ships from Carnival Corporation that will sail on LNG.
The video explains how LNG works and why it’s a “game changer”, while detailing the various new technologies and processes, both on board and on shore, necessary for LNG propulsion. This includes everything from engine designs, fuel containment systems, and the accompanying new engine parts to comprehensive training for shipboard officers and engineers.
In addition, new terminal facilities were built at Port Canaveral and are under construction at PortMiami.
Shell has chartered Q-LNG 4000 barge to facilitate bunkering Mardi Gras while Port Canaveral has also acquired a purpose-built fire boat to support the LNG provider’s tug.