Gov’t recommends Norwegian Epic use low-sulfur fuel at BVI port
The Environmental Health Division has recommended that the Norwegian Epic cruise ship switch from using its scrubber or exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS), to low-sulfur fuel while docked in Tortola, in an effort to further enhance air quality at the port.
The recommendation follows public concerns about the environmental impact of cruise ship emissions in the British Virgin Islands. In response, the Ministry of Communication and Works instructed the Division to assess the situation.
The assessment determined that the visible white plume emitted from the Norwegian Epic is within normal ranges and that the vessel complies with international environmental regulations. However, the Division advised the ship’s Environmental Officer to consider switching to marine gas oil while at berth.
“In an effort to further enhance air quality at the port, it was recommended that the ship switch from using scrubbers to low-sulphur fuel while at berth. The ship’s Environmental Officer has indicated a willingness to consider this recommendation, planning to switch to marine gas oil within one hour of berthing and revert back one hour prior to departure on future visits to Tortola,” the Ministry stated.
The report clarified that the visible plume is primarily composed of water vapor, a byproduct of the ship’s scrubbers, which are designed to reduce sulfur oxide emissions and ensure compliance with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) standards under MARPOL Annex VI.
Concerns from residents
Residents have raised concerns about emissions from cruise ships at the port, questioning their potential impact on both the environment and public health.
While the Ministry has conducted an assessment on the Norwegian Epic, it has not indicated whether similar evaluations will be carried out for other vessels docking in the Territory.
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Do these concerns apply to the open burn pits at Pockwood Pond?
Facebook bullies are a disgrace to be ridiculing people.
It’s as though that’s the only thing they find joy in doing in life then claim to be talking to God everyday instead of listening and doing what God expects them to do, which is to show love.
A lady shared her VALID concern and as usual Facebook bullies who are unhappy with their life chose to use any opportunity to try to embarrass posters when they are ONLY embarrassing themselves.
It’s a disgrace these same people have children, grandchildren, are employed (some in senior positions) and those who jump on the moomoo train with them are no better!!
the cruise ships with these ‘air quality’ recommendations and they will cease visiting the BVI. Government needs to repair the incinerator on Tortola and extinguish all the dump fires in the BVI for eternity.
Some years ago, Village Cay was my boat’s home port. When docked there, between charters, I rinsed my boat, every day, so I had a very clear view of the contaminants in the air of downtown Road Town. I could easily distinguish between Sahara dust, the grit that blew in when Montserrat’s volcano gave out a puff of volcanic material, and the pollution emitted by the cruise ships. It was easy to tell if there was a cruise ship, in town, and the amount of pollution that accumulated on my decks was truly shocking. I am sure that a like amount accumulated in all our lungs. I am sure that, in time, all who live or work downwind of those ships will pay a price with their long term health, unless something serious is done. Would anyone put an incinerator in the middle of Town?
CANT EVEN GET THERE HOUSE IN ORDER AND WANT TO TELL CRUISE SHIP WHAT TO GIVE ME A FING BREAK I LEAVING THE BVI FOR GOOD SEE AR YO
And that MSC ship that sits there all day putting smoke into peoples’ homes and businesses.
Either that or we should set some fires just upwind of the ship and let smoke go into the cabins and captain’s bridge. See how they like it,
After this visit VIVA today was billowing bluey white smoke all over road town and up the value – a mile away we were in the cloud. It stopped within hours of arrival but we i think we have to mandate only low sulphur fuel in Road Harbour. Yes its a seperate wrong but the lack of incinerator at Pockwood Pond has moved from beyond disgraceful – the entire hillside is now a massive eyesore
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2023/oct/19/europe-ports-bear-brunt-of-cruise-ship-pollution
Some say it’s nothing and is actually good for us. Like whatttt?