Disney Cruise Line Gets Highest Environmental Grade
The U.S.-based environmental group Friends of the Earth (FOE) has released its 2012 Cruise Ship Report Card for 15 cruise lines, putting Disney Cruise Lines at the top of the list but finding that many others have not improved their practices, Ship & Bunker reports.
The report graded the cruise lines based on the air pollution their ships produce and on their sewage treatment practices and air quality compliance.
"For the third time, Friends of the Earth has found that many cruise lines are still not doing enough to limit the environmental impact of their ships," said Marcie Keever, the group's oceans and vessels project director.
"From ending the use of dirty fuel that pollutes the air to stopping the disgusting practice of dumping partially treated sewage and other waste into the sea, it's time for the cruise industry to clean up its act."
Since the FOE's last report card in 2010, six cruise companies, including Disney, improved their grades, and none lost ground, but the group said many have failed to make progress in limiting their environmental impact.
After Disney, the next best grades went to Princess Cruises, Holland America Lines and Norwegian Cruise Lines.
Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, and P&O Cruises were at the bottom of the list, all receiving grades of "F."
Worldwide, cruise lines are implementing some new technology to reduce their environmental impact, including using vessels powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and new emissions monitoring systems, but the industry has also been pushing back against new regulations on air pollution.