As of December 2023, Harmony of the Seas is regarded as the largest cruise ship in the world, weighing a total of 226,963 tons and accommodating 5,479 passengers and 2,100 crew members.
Can You Smell, See, and Taste the Pollution from the World’s Largest Cruise Ship?
Residents of Southampton, England, are expressing concerns about health risks, including asthma and chest pain, associated with air pollution caused by Harmony of the Seas. With the capacity to carry thousands of passengers, this cruise ship is said to emit smoke so severely that locals can smell, see, and even taste it in the air.
Those living near the port, located about 366 meters away, believe that smoke from cruise ships and cargo vessels has significantly contributed to the deteriorating air quality in the city. This occurs when winds blow emissions into surrounding areas. However, according to local residents, there appears to be no monitoring of pollution from cruise ships and cargo vessels.
Harmony of the Seas (Harmony of the Seas) is the third ship in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class but is larger than its “sister ships,” Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas, which were launched in 2009 and 2010, respectively. With a length of 362 meters and a full load capacity of 226,963 tons, Harmony has “stolen” the title of the world’s largest cruise ship from the sister ship Allure of the Seas, becoming the largest billion-dollar ship in the world to date.
The community has supported the use of shore power by ships while in port to mitigate this pollution issue. However, transportation companies are reportedly opposing the implementation of this cleaner technology. Residents also believe that road traffic generated by passengers and cargo moving to and from the ship is another cause of poor air quality.
Harmony of the Seas Lacks Emission Control Measures
While the creators of Harmony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean, claim they have invested in green technology, experts express skepticism about the ship’s operational capacity due to its emissions levels and their impact on climate change.
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) further stated that companies have “invested significantly over the past decade to develop new technologies to reduce emissions.”
However, marine pollution analysts in Germany and Brussels argue that such a large ship could burn at least 150 tons of fuel per day, emitting more sulfur than several million cars, more NO2 than all vehicles passing through a medium-sized town, and more particulate matter than thousands of buses in London.
According to leading independent pollution analyst Axel Friedrich from Germany, a large cruise ship emits more than 5 tons of NOX emissions and 450 kg of ultrafine particles each day.
Bill Hemmings, a maritime expert at the Brussels-based Transport and Environment group, stated: “These ships burn as much fuel as an entire town. They use more energy than container ships, and even when burning low-sulfur fuel, it is still 100 times worse than diesel on the road.”
The enormity of Harmony of the Seas is envisioned as a small New York City, always bustling from day to night. Visitors join a community of “international citizens” to enjoy a new lifestyle, valuing travel in every moment of movement. There’s no need to worry about anything; Harmony of the Seas offers everything guests need and countless services for all ages. From children, teens, middle-aged individuals to seniors, everyone can easily find suitable activities and locations on board.
Although Royal Caribbean and industry groups state that the latest control systems have been installed, it is difficult to overlook the fuel demands of such a large ship. Transportation constitutes a significant portion of pollution from cruise ships. Therefore, measures like solar panels may have minimal effectiveness. Critics argue that Harmony uses 35% more fuel annually compared to previous Royal Caribbean designs, equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 77,000 homes in the United States.
Perhaps this is what has turned Harmony of the Seas into a floating city with all the luxurious services. Measuring 362m in length and 65.5m in width, Harmony of the Seas features numerous entertainment options and a rich culinary space comprising 22 restaurants, 42 bars, lounges, theaters, ice skating rinks, and more. The ship’s colossal size took 3 years to complete, and it can accommodate up to 6,680 passengers, offering customers 2,759 choices for their preferred room.
