The Carnival Corporation & plc, a cruise operator, has pledged to invest USD180 million to install pollution control equipment on its 32 coast-cruising vessels in the next three years. The investment was the result of a deal struck with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the latter's efforts to reduce polluted air emissions.
Multiple reports had said the deal with the environment regulator was catalysed by the International Maritime Organization's recently ratified treaty. Carnival opted to use what the Miami-based operator called "scrubber technology" to remove harmful matter in smoke emitted from its ships instead of using clean fuel. The technology when used, was said to exceed EPA standards.
Carnival Corporation & plc CEO Arnold Donald said, "This is a significant accomplishment as well as an important milestone for our company. Working together with the EPA, U.S. Coast Guard and Transport Canada, we have developed a breakthrough solution for cleaner air that will set a new course in environmental protection for years to come." Director Christopher Grundler of the EPA's office of transportation and air quality, said, "(The agency is) very pleased that the cruise industry has stepped up to meet its obligations."
In 2012, Carnival's cruise operations employed a workforce of 86,800. It has also generated a total of USD15.382 billion in revenue.
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