Virgin Voyages is trying to advance its dedication to reaching web zero by 2050 by what it calls “a portfolio approach to sustainable marine fuel (SMF) supply.” [Image: virgin Voyages]
Richard Branson’s Virgin Voyages is trying to advance its dedication to reaching web zero by 2050 by what it calls “a portfolio approach to sustainable marine fuel (SMF) supply.” This week the cruise line reported that it has partnered with the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) and with three main sustainable gasoline suppliers, Argent Energy, GoodFuels and Twelve.
Twelve has been getting some consideration in aviation circles, partnering with Alaska Airways to carry its E-Jet—a low carbon jet gasoline produced from recaptured CO2, water and renewable power — into business use. Now Twelve is providing a marine gasoline, E-Marine, made utilizing the identical expertise, which ends up from breakthrough discoveries by Twelve cofounders, Dr. Etosha Cave and Dr. Kendra Kuhl, on the Jaramillo Group at Stanford University, a acknowledged world chief in CO2 electrocatalysis.
NO ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL
Virgin Voyages says that “recognizing there is currently no one-size-fits-all, low-carbon fuel solution,” it should enter into long-term agreements for sustainable marine fuels with these suppliers, and plans so as to add others over time.
The cruise line estimates that by switching to sustainable marine fuels, the road will cut back its life-cycle carbon emissions from gasoline by 75% or extra.
“In order to significantly reduce our carbon footprint further, we must transition to lower-carbon fuel sources as soon as possible. We could do this today with our existing engines if more sustainable ‘drop-in’ fuels were available in our ports of call,” stated Tom McAlpin, CEO of Virgin Voyages. “Unfortunately, these fuels are not yet widely available, and in most cases, are not cost competitive. We want to work with partners to pioneer for the essential change.”
“Virgin will always aim to be a leader in the industries we operate in,” stated Richard Branson, founding father of Virgin Group. “We aspire to make the cruise industry better in many ways including through climate action. I’m proud that Virgin Voyages will be working with industry partners and others to shape the future of more sustainable cruise travel and to bring about a real sea change for all.”
