Japan reopens ports for international cruise ships

Japan has decided to lift the restrictions on international cruise ships docking at its ports after a ban of more than two years that was imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The country banned the docking of international cruise ships in March 2020, after a huge cluster of coronavirus cases were reported on the Diamond Princess cruise ship the month before.

This caused all the passengers to quarantine in Yokohama, near Tokyo, and around 13 of the more than 700 infected passengers and crew died due to the infection.

The country will now start accepting cruises with international passengers that originated in international ports.

Additionally, the domestic cruise industry has also received permission to resume calls at international destinations.

The country’s transport ministry made the decision after cruise ship operators and port authorities’ associations adopted anti-virus guidelines.

A group of foreign-registered cruise companies, the Japan International Cruise Committee, has helped to set the guidelines that are to be taken if any passenger or crew member tests positive for Covid-19.

Wärtsilä, Carnival, GoodFuels team up on biofuel trials

Wärtsilä has collaborated with cruise operator Carnival’s Holland America Line and Netherlands-based GoodFuels to conduct ship trials using biofuel blends.

The tests have been conducted with 100% biofuel to assess the effect on overall engine performance and engine emissions, as well as a 70% diesel / 30% biofuel blend.

The trial was conducted on a Wärtsilä ZA40 engine fitted onboard Volendam, a Holland America Line ship.

It is claimed to be the first trial by Wärtsilä on a cruise ship running with 100% biofuel, with previous tests involving lower blends of biofuel.

Wärtsilä’s works included the preparation of the testing protocols and assessment of the fuel testing and lube oil testing results.

It is also involved in the supervision of tests and post-testing analyses such as engine inspections, performance evaluation, and measurements of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.

The biofuel trials are expected to help Carnival cut down carbon per available-lower-berth-day by 40% by 2030 and extend its alternative fuels strategy across its liquefied natural gas (LNG) programme and battery, fuel cell, and biofuel capabilities.

It will also enable the firm reach its 2030 target for 50% reduction in absolute air emissions of particulate matter and 2050 target for net carbon neutral operations.

Royal Caribbean and World Fuel Services begin renewable diesel trial

Royal Caribbean Group has collaborated with World Fuel Services to sail its Navigator of the Seas ship using renewable diesel as part of a trial.

With this move, the group is claimed to become the first major cruise company to sail a cruise vessel out of a US port using renewable diesel for at least a portion of its fuel requirements.

The ship is part of the firm’s Royal Caribbean International cruise brand.

Said to contain less carbon than traditional marine fuels, sustainable fuel is produced using renewable raw materials.

On behalf of World Fuel Services, the Jankovich Company will supply the renewable diesel to the ship while it is at the Port of Los Angeles in California.

With plans to expand its usage to other ships across the fleet, the lower carbon fuel will be used to meet part of the Los Angeles-based ship’s fuel requirements.

Following the fuelling, Navigator of the Seas will set sail to Mexico.

Viking takes delivery of new expedition ship, Viking Polaris

Switzerland-based Viking has taken delivery of its second purpose-built expedition ship, dubbed Viking Polaris, at Fincantieri’s VARD shipyard in Søviknes, Norway.

Last December, the company took delivery of its first expedition ship, named Viking Octantis, which is presently sailing in the Great Lakes.

The new expedition ship will cruise to Amsterdam and then on to South America.

The Polar Class Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris can each accommodate 378 guests in 189 staterooms.

Viking Polaris features a panoramic auditorium called Aula, an outdoor lounge area known as Finse Terrace, and an in-ship marina called Hangar.

The new ship also has a forward-viewing platform called Bow and 380ft² Science Lab that features wet and dry laboratory facilities for carrying out a range of research activities.

It also features an Expedition Central hub where the expedition team can consult with guests on their expedition activities.

Other features include The Nordic Spa, Explorers’ Lounge, Living Room, Nordic Balcony and Expedition Ship Suites, as well as a modern restaurant.