What Kind of Fuel Does a Cruise Ship Use?

By Michael Ferguson

A cruise ship is a large vessel that carries passengers on vacation and other leisure activities. Cruise ships are powered by a variety of fuel sources, depending on the size and type of the ship.

The most common type of fuel used for a cruise ship is marine diesel oil (MDO). MDO is a heavy fuel oil derived from crude oil, and it is the most cost-effective option for powering large vessels like cruise ships.

MDO contains more sulfur than other types of fuel, which can be harmful to the environment if not properly managed. To reduce emissions, many cruise lines have installed exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) on their ships. These systems filter out harmful particulate matter from the exhaust gases produced by burning MDO.

In addition to MDO, some newer ships are powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG is much cleaner than MDO, as it does not contain sulfur or other pollutants. It is also cheaper to operate than diesel engines because it burns more efficiently and produces fewer emissions.

In recent years, some cruise lines have started experimenting with alternative fuels such as biofuels. Biofuels are made from renewable sources such as vegetable oils or animal fat and they produce fewer emissions than traditional fuels. However, they are still relatively expensive compared to MDO or LNG.

Conclusion

Overall, the most common type of fuel used for powering cruise ships is marine diesel oil (MDO). This heavy fuel oil is cost-effective but has higher pollution levels than other types of fuel such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) or biofuels. As environmental concerns continue to grow, more cruise lines may start using alternative fuels in order to reduce their carbon footprint.