How Does a Cruise Ship Refuel?

By Alice Nichols

Cruise ships are some of the largest vessels on the water, and they require a significant amount of fuel to travel from port to port. So how does a cruise ship refuel?

It’s not as simple as stopping by a gas station, but with careful planning and dedicated personnel, cruise ships can take on the amount of fuel they need to continue their journey.

The most common type of fuel used by cruise ships is marine diesel oil (MDO). This fuel is used because it is cost effective and it has less of an environmental impact than other types of fuel.

The process of refueling begins when the cruise ship docks in a port. Before the ship arrives at its destination, the crew will plan for the amount of MDO that needs to be acquired.

Once the ship is docked, tankers or barges full of MDO will arrive at the port and dock alongside the ship. Hoses are then connected between the tanker/barge and cruise ship, allowing for transfer of fuel from one vessel to another. The process can take several hours depending on how much MDO needs to be transferred, but usually it takes between two and four hours.

The process is carefully monitored by both the crew onboard the cruise ship as well as personnel from the supplier side. The flow rate is monitored to ensure that it meets safety standards and that no leaks occur during transfer. The entire process must also be done in accordance with maritime laws and regulations.

Conclusion

Refueling a cruise ship can seem like a complex process at first glance, but with careful planning and dedicated personnel it can be done safely and efficiently. Tankers or barges full of MDO are connected to hoses which transfer fuel from one vessel to another. This process takes several hours depending on how much MDO needs to be transferred, but usually it takes between two and four hours.