When Holland America Line’s Zaandam sailed from Vancouver on Earth Day (April 22), it was unlike any other cruise ship at sea – following a two week dry dock stay, the ship was outfitted with new cutting-edge emission reduction technology.

In co-operation with several United States and Canadian government and regulatory agencies, Holland America has launched a technology demonstration project, designed to show the feasibility of using sea water to “scrub,” or reduce, engine emissions on oceangoing vessels. Modifications of the ship’s new test emissions technology could dramatically change not only the cruise industry, but the entire maritime industry by reducing ship engine emissions.

The sea water scrubber system, developed by Krystallon, a subsidiary of BP, uses the natural chemistry of sea water to remove virtually all sulfur oxide, as well as significantly reducing particulate matter emissions.

The sea water is then treated to remove harmful components, while the calcium carbonate in sea water renders the sulfur oxides harmless by conversions to sulfates and neutral salts.

The price tag tops more than US$1.5-million and includes assistance of US$300,000 from an Environments Protection Agency (EPA)/West Coast Collaborative grant and a US$100,000 contribution from Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.

Additional support for the project comes from the Port of Seattle, the Port of Vancouver, Environment Canada, British Columbia Ministry of the Environment and the BC Clean Air Research Fund, as well as Krystallon.

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