The first voyage, the first problems: Icon of the Seas faces criticism from eco-activists
Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, has set sail from Miami on its maiden voyage. The ship is scheduled to make a seven-day trip to tropical islands, but this has raised concerns among environmental activists.
Environmentalists warn that during the cruise, the ship will emit methane into the atmosphere, creating a dangerous greenhouse effect. This was reported by BBC Ukrainian.
It is noted that the world's largest cruise ship of the Royal Caribbean Group runs on liquefied natural gas, which, although cleaner than traditional marine fuel, also poses a danger to the environment. Methane prevents heat radiation from leaving the atmosphere, creating a greenhouse effect that has global implications for the planet's ecosystems and biosphere.
According to a report by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), methane emissions from LNG ships exceeded the current legal limits. ICCT Maritime Program Director Brian Comer said, "The use of LNG as a marine fuel causes 120% more greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle than marine gas oil."
Contrary to this, Royal Caribbean assured that the liner proved to be 24% more energy-efficient than required by the International Maritime Organization. Additionally, the company announced plans to introduce a zero-emission ship by 2035.