Allan Jordan reporting from Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Fort Lauderdale
Peace Boat, an International NGO with headquarters in Tokyo, is making progress on the Ecoship, which it bills as the “flagship for sustainability in the cruise industry.” Speaking at the Seatrade Global Conference, Peace Boat provided an update on the Ecoship while also announcing plans for its 100th cruise and expansion into other Asian markets.
Peace Boat Founder and Director Yoshioka Tatsuya said that he continues to believe that the cruise industry has the power to change the world. Throughout its history, Peace Boat has supported several United Nations-led campaigns including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, whose logo is now displayed on the ship, as well initiatives for the protection of the oceans and global understanding.
Envisioned as a floating platform and exhibition ship for research and education to promote a sustainable society, the Ecoship was unveiled a year ago. Peace Boat is currently negotiating with European shipyards for the construction as well as completing financing and partnership agreements for its flagship project. Peace Boat and classification society DNV GL also signed a memorandum of understanding forming a partnership to work together on the design, construction and operation Ecoship. Peace Boat continues to target the spring of 2020, before the Summer Olympics’ opening in Tokyo on July 24, 2020, for the Ecoship’s maiden voyage.
Peace Boat has used this period to refine plans for the 60,000 gross ton, 224 m x 31 m ship. Ecoship’s core goal remains a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions by incorporating renewable energy features ranging from ten retractable solar-paneled sails, wind generators, closed water and waste systems, solar panels on the passenger balconies and even systems to harvest the passengers’ kinetic energy in the disco and from the jogging track. Plans have been refined for the wind generator, and, because the technology does not currently exist to store power for the long ocean crossings, a dual-power system using LNG, has been selected. The goal is to use the stored power not to produce any emissions in port and close to shore.
Peace Boat plans to deploy the Ecoship on the world voyages while also retaining its current vessel, the Ocean Dream (built in 1982 as Carnival Cruise Lines’ Tropicale). It is anticipated that the Ocean Dream would work as a floating university possibly doing regional voyages in Asia. Peace Boat currently operates three world cruises a year as well as shorter, regional voyages.
Since its inception in 1983, Peace Boat has sailed over 60 world cruises as well as 30 regional voyages. Preparing for continued growth and its continuing mission of fostering understanding and cooperation among the peoples of the world, Peace Boat is expanding its operation into other Asian markets including Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and China. To celebrate their 35th anniversary year in 2018, Peace Boat also announced plans for its 100th cruise, a 96-day world trip sailing on December 26, 2018, circling the Southern Hemisphere and calling at 18 ports including Ehoala, Madagascar; Walvis Bay, Namibia; and Rapa Nui (Easter Island).
