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A global cruise line company that operates in New Zealand has come under fire in the United States over the use of a controversial technology called “scrubbers”, which is banned in many countries. The Herald spoke to experts, scientists and local authorities about the issue, and about whether New Zealand should be concerned. As Cyclone Vaianu made landfall across the North Island last month, a giant cruise ship was anchored in the Hauraki Gulf – sparking concern among some Aucklanders preparing for severe weather. However, the presence of the Discovery Princess was a concern not because of the cyclone but over fears about its chequered record of pollution. Carnival Corp, the parent company of Princess Cruises, which operates the Discovery Princess and many other cruise ships that sail in New Zealand waters, has been making headlines in Alaska over water pollution concerns. A report from Alaska Public Media in March revealed that Carnival withheld water pollution data for the Discovery Princess and at least four other ships from Alaskan authorities for months. The dispute centred around the discharge of exhaust gas cleaning systems, also known as scrubbers. The relatively new technology has become more prevalent in the industry since global air pollution requirements came into force in 2020, aiming to reduce sulphur emissions. The Discovery Princess has 1830 cabins and a crew of more than 1300. Photo / Princess Cruises Some cruise ships have installed scrubbers, which use seawater to remove contaminants from the ship’s exhaust before diluting and discharging wash water into the ocean, as a way to get around the sulphur limits. Scrubbers allow cruise ships to burn cheaper, sulphur-rich fuel. However, the system has been criticised for turning air pollution into water pollution, with research showing the process can be toxic to marine life. Auckland Council lead water scientist Jennifer Gadd, who was the lead author of a 2021 report on the risks from scrubber discharges while at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa, now Earth Sciences NZ), says the danger to marine organisms depends on how many of the “petroleum-type products” and metals are discharged. “The risks are associated with the contaminants that are transferred from the air, which they would be if you didn’t have a scrubber, into the water and also to some extent associated with the bits of engine involved in that scrubber. “That’s basically some petroleum-type products, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and also some metals. Both those sets of things … can be toxic to marine organisms. But it’s all about how much of it there is.” An Alaskan inspector discovered “sooty, black globs” from the Discovery Princess’ scrubber discharge point in September last year, with the ship reportedly exceeding United States federal limits. The revelations from the report in Alaska have sparked concern from environmental experts, with one suggesting Carnival could be “hiding something”. “Sooty, black globs” were discovered from Discovery Princess' scrubber water discharges. Photo / Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Record of pollution When approached by the Herald, Carnival acknowledged the Alaskan report but insisted “in the US (including Alaska), our scrubbers operate within strict federal washwater limits well over 99.5% of the time and we continuously evaluate ways to improve on this high level of performance”. “Without a healthy ocean, the cruise industry couldn’t exist. So we work hard to meet or exceed all laws and regulations governing our business, including those protecting and preserving sensitive marine and coastal ecosystems and environments – in New Zealand and everywhere we operate.” However, Carnival’s record of pollution has continued to come under the microscope in recent years. Data released by the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council in August last year found 17 of Carnival Corp’s ships reported more th...
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