Holland America Line starts long-term biofuel test on Rotterdam cruise ship

The US-based cruise line Holland America Line, part of Carnival Corporation, has begun a long-term biofuel test on its flagship, Rotterdam, leveraging 100% low carbon intensity biofuel while sailing within the Norwegian World Heritage Fjords.

The ship bunkered the biofuel before leaving the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on April 27, 2024. It will operate one of its four engines using low-carbon intensity oil derived from organic waste or residues and certified according to the EU Renewable Energy Directive while in the Fjords.

The GoodFuels MR1-100 sustainable biofuel supplied by FincoEnergies will yield an estimated 86% reduction in life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions, according to the cruise line.

“Holland America Line is committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and we are excited to demonstrate a next-generation fuel source that can help us toward our pursuit of net zero emissions,” Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, commented.

“Converting items such as food waste into fuel is an innovative way to meet environmental challenges and we thank the Dutch government for its support.”

The initial tests will occur on one of the ship’s four engines during cruises this month, with the potential to expand to multiple engines during the summer while operating in the Norwegian World Heritage Fjords, specifically Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord.

Biofuels are derived from feedstocks that are certified as 100% organic waste or residue, with no risk of land-use change or deforestation and no competition with food production. Produced from waste fats, oils, and grease leftover from feedstock processing, biofuels are associated with minimal emissions during production.

This results in a very low carbon intensity, with an estimated reduction of 86% in emissions compared to marine gas oil (MGO).

Holland America Line’s existing ships operate on biofuels without modifications to the engine or fuel structure.

“The GoodFuels MR1-100 fits the existing practice in shipping where heavier fuels are already used today,” Johannes Schurmann, Commercial Director International Marine at FincoEnergies, said.

“Together with our clients, we optimize sustainability and cost of the biofuel, while not jeopardizing the performance in the engine and fuel system.”

“There is a need to look at all good alternatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the future and we see biofuels as one of the alternatives that, with the right use and origin, will contribute to emission reductions, which we welcome. The Norwegian Maritime Authority takes a positive view of all measures taken by the industry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Alf Tore, Acting Director General of Shipping and Navigation, Norwegian Maritime Authority, stated.

Holland America Line is one of the first Carnival Corporation brands to run a long-term 100% biofuel shipboard operation, having completed a successful first test in August 2022.

Carnival Corporation’s German line AIDA also tested GoodFuels biofuels on board AIDAprima in Rotterdam in 2022.

While biofuels have been tested on large diesel engines at shoreside research facilities and in other shipping segments, these tests are among the first live tests on working cruise ships.

The two cruise lines’ biofuel tests are said to support the overall environmental mission, goals and aspirations of Carnival Corporation. Carnival Corporation’s 2023 Sustainability Report released in April 2024 shows the company is making significant achievements toward its 2030 goals and the overall aspiration to achieve net zero emissions from ship operations by 2050.