Cruise Industry Faces Tougher Emissions Regulations

Some cruise lines are reconsidering voyages to Canada as the country imposes tougher emission regulations.

As of 2012, all ships within 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres) of North American shores will be required to use fuel with no more than 1% sulphur content. In 2015, that maximum will fall to 0.1%.

The average sulphur content in fuel used by cruise ships is about 2.5%, with the global limit at 4.5%.

Stricter regulations already exist elsewhere. In Europe, for example, ships must use fuel with a sulphur content of 0.1% while in port.

The Cruise Lines International Association voiced its concerns to the International Maritime Organization last year after the new limits were proposed, recommending that the 0.1 per cent limit be increased to 0.5 per cent.

Earlier this month, British cruise line company Fred. Olsen said it may end service to Canada and the U.S. in 2012, citing increased fuel costs.

The company, which has a fleet of four ships and doesn't visit North America regularly, estimated its fuel expenses would increase by $16,000 a day under the new regulations.

Carnival, which operates 11 cruise lines and reported a net income of $1.7 billion, last year, reported the regulations would add about $50 million to $70 million in costs annually.

Despite the cruise industry's protests, the International Maritime Organization approved the new sulphur limits in March.

A 2007 study, published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, found that up to 60,000 deaths are caused each year by shipping emissions.

It also found that these deaths could increase by 40 per cent by 2012, due to steady growth in shipping traffic worldwide.