Consultancy Finds Growing Demand for Cruise Ship Scrubbers

New ECA sulfur limits could prompt more scrubber retrofits

Regulations forcing vessels to reduce emissions in Emission Control Areas (ECAS) are likely to mean more work for shipyards as cruise vessels seek scrubber systems, the UK's Ocean Shipping Consultants (OSC) found, industry site Marine Log reports.

Cruise ships operating in North American and European coastal waters can use scrubber systems, either in newbuild orders or as a retrofit to existing ships.

"The implication is for more work for suitable (in terms of expertise and location) ship repair yards," the consultancy said.

Overall, the cruise industry is likely to provide more work for shipyards as growing demand will call for 161 new vessels with an average 2,500 berth capacity between now and 2025.

Despite challenges in recent years, the cruise sector is "enjoying rapid growth that is seeing dramatic changes shaping the profile of the industry," OSC wrote.

"Global demand for cruise is expected to grow strongly, new cruise terminals are being developed, and cruise lines are introducing significant changes to the deployment of their capacity."

Passenger numbers for cruise ships are expected to grow 68 percent to 36.4 million by 2025, while a shift in demand toward Asia-Pacific will be particularly helpful to shipyards in that region.

At the same time, the age of the world's cruise fleet—20 years on average, with 47 vessels that are more than 40 years old—demonstrates a likely demand for replacement or repair.

Major cruise operator Carnival Corp. announced in September that it would retrofit 32 ships with scrubbers.