Holland America Line has begun a long-term biofuel test on its flagship, Rotterdam, leveraging 100% low carbon intensity biofuel.
The ship bunkered the biofuel before leaving the Port of Rotterdam on April 27, 2024, and 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 Norwegian fjords.
The GoodFuels MR1-100 sustainable biofuel supplied by FincoEnergies, will yield an estimated 86% reduction in life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions.
Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, said: “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. 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 fjords, specifically Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord.
The line’s existing ships operate on biofuels without modifications to the engine or fuel structure. Holland America Line continues to partner with companies to find ways to reduce emissions and develop alternative fuels and technologies.
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.
