Energy Knot Ocean has put in LFC biodigesters on the Margaritaville at Sea Island to enhance waste administration and sustainability efforts on the cruise ship.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander, which simply arrived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on June 2 following an in depth dry dock renovation, has revealed it has put in a number of LFC biodigesters from Energy Knot Ocean as a part of its sustainability efforts.
On common, cruise ships generate round 7.5 kilos of meals waste per passenger per day. With Margaritaville at Sea Islander accommodating 2,680 passengers together with 620 crew members, this implies greater than 24,000 kilos of meals waste may be produced day by day. Through the use of biodigesters, the ship goals to cut back its meals waste.
“The deployment of the LFC biodigesters aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Islander marks a major step ahead in our mission to guard the oceans,” mentioned Iain Milnes, president of Energy Knot, primarily based in Freemont, California.
“By changing meals waste into water via pure cardio digestion, our biodigesters drastically cut back the quantity of waste that may in any other case find yourself in landfills or be disposed at sea,” he continued.
Cruise ships usually handle meals waste via incineration, pulping and maceration, and compacting. Nevertheless, incineration is cited as contributing to greenhouse fuel emissions and requires important power that reduces general effectivity, and compacting locations the waste in landfills after being offloaded at port services.
Pulping releases sludge into the ocean, which maritime laws permit if meals waste is finely floor and discharged a selected distance from land. Regardless of it being authorized beneath these circumstances, the observe receives a lot backlash from environmental supporters who fear concerning the potential influence of the waste on marine ecosystems.
For these causes, biodigesters are thought of the very best technique as a result of effectivity and environmental advantages. These techniques use pure cardio digestion to transform meals waste into water, carbon dioxide, and a small quantity of residue.
Learn Additionally: What Do Cruise Ships Do with Sewage and Waste?
The water produced is protected to discharge into the ocean and may also be repurposed for different non-potable makes use of, resembling flushing bogs, supplying air con techniques, and cleansing surfaces and gear.
Added Milnes, “This not solely helps in reducing operational prices but additionally ensures that cruise ships like the Margaritaville at Sea Islander can function extra sustainably, preserving the ocean for future generations.”
The biodigesters can deal with over 13,000 kilos (6,200 kilograms) of meals waste per day and are strategically positioned in key areas of the ship, together with the galley and rubbish rooms, to streamline meals waste processing.
Energy Knot’s biodigesters are additionally utilized by Carnival Company’s cruise strains, together with Princess Cruises’ Solar Princess. The most recent and largest ship in its fleet, Solar Princess built-in 26 LFC biodigesters when it launched in February 2024. Carnival Company goals to cut back its meals waste manufacturing by 40% by 2025 and 50% by 2030.
After a Tropical Makeover, the Ship is Tampa Sure
Margaritaville at Sea Islander, which left Belfast’s Harland & Wolff shipyard on Might 19 and has been crossing the Atlantic, arrived in Fort Lauderdale on June 2 with a lot fanfare. Boasting a refreshed look with tropical theming, new hull art work, and numerous themed areas for friends, it’s subsequent journeying to Port Tampa Bay, the place it can homeport.
Almost 900 worldwide crew members have joined the ship in Port Everglades for its closing preparations and familiarizing with the ship’s format. As soon as the ship arrives in Tampa on June 14, it will likely be welcomed with a particular debut and naming ceremony.
The ship’s inaugural sail with friends on June 14 will enterprise into the Western Caribbean with itineraries to locations like Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico, and Key West, Florida. In 2025, longer 6- and 7-night sailings will embrace Belize, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman.
