Wed 10 Dec 2008, 09:19 GMT

Solar ship in green initiative


Eco-event to cover energy-efficient attributes of solar cruise vessel.



Celebrity Cruises has launched an initiative to teach guests about the energy-efficient attributes of the industry's first ship to use solar energy, the Celebrity Solstice.

In partnership with leading conservation organization Conservation International, Celebrity Solstice features an exhibition named "Team Earth" designed to capture the interest and imagination of Celebrity guests through photography, museum-quality exhibits, and digital touch-screen displays.

Onboard Celebrity Solstice, guests will be able to see how Celebrity achieved the numerous energy-efficiencies that it did on Celebrity Solstice, and how similar efforts across the fleet are significantly minimizing every Celebrity ship's impact on the environment. Among those initiatives:

-- Celebrity Solstice is the industry's first ship to use solar energy, with 216 solar panels - enough to power all of the ship's guest elevators, or more than 7,000 LED lights.

-- Celebrity says the ship's hull was "designed explicitly with energy efficiency in mind, with every angle closely tested and examined to achieve optimal cruising speed, guest comfort, and fuel consumption."

-- On Celebrity Solstice, and across the fleet, a special silicon coating has been applied to the entire underwater area to reduce frictional resistance and trim fuel consumption. The coating also inhibits marine growth, such as barnacles and algae on the hull, and prevents a breakdown of paint chips into the ocean.

Celebrity sails in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South America. The line also offers cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Australia, Canada, Europe and South America.

Celebrity's fleet will be joined by Celebrity Equinox in 2009, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011, and a fifth in 2012.


American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) logo. ABS introduces nuclear-ready notation for marine and offshore assets  

The classification society has released what it describes as an industry-first notation to support future nuclear conversion of vessels and offshore assets.

AiP handover ceremony for NEXTGEN Energy Hub (NGEH) design. ABS grants approval in principle for Seatrium’s NEXTGEN Energy Hub design  

The hub concept integrates ammonia bunkering, power generation and electric vessel charging in a single unit.

Jumbo Maritime crew aboard vessel. Jumbo orders two methanol-ready L-Class heavy lift vessels from Dajin Heavy Industry  

Dutch heavy lift specialist Jumbo signs newbuilding contract for two 25,000-dwt vessels.

China flag. Zhoushan completes first bonded bunker operation at Majishan port area  

The operation marks full fuel supply coverage across all general cargo terminals in Zhoushan's port system.

US dollar banknotes. Port of Long Beach launches $1m methanol bunkering challenge for oceangoing vessels  

A $1m prize aims to kick-start commercial methanol bunkering at one of North America's busiest ports.

Core Power, Athlos Energy, Deon Policy Institute and ABS logos. Greece floating nuclear study finds no fundamental barriers to implementation  

A PESTLE assessment of floating nuclear power plants in Greece identifies framework gaps, not feasibility barriers.

Northern Pathliner alongside Bergen LNG vessel. Molgas completes LNG cool-down and bunkering for Northern Pathliner at Northern Lights terminal in Norway  

Operation carried out at Øygarden facility, with K Line and Integr8 Fuels in the supply chain.

Rendering of a G2 Ocean OHGC vessel. G2 Ocean expands fleet with six future-fuel ready gantry crane vessels  

Open hatch specialist adds vessels and jet sail technology as part of a broad fleet renewal programme.

CMA CGM Adventure vessel at Port of Mombasa. LNG-powered CMA CGM Adventure makes first call at the Port of Mombasa  

Kenya Ports Authority receives its first large LNG-fuelled container vessel.

Liam Blackmore, Lloyd's Register. Maritime trio shapes IMO safety guidelines for ammonia as marine fuel  

Real-world operational experience feeds directly into new IMO ammonia fuel safety framework.