Emissions from cruiseships in Europe are far outstripping those from every car on the road, it has been claimed.
Green group Transport & Environment (T&E) said its analysis shows that in 2017 Carnival vessels pumped out nearly 10 times more sulphur oxide (SOX) around European coasts than 260m vehicles.
The figure for Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCCL) is four times that of the car fleet.
Spain, Italy and Greece, closely followed by France and Norway, are the European countries most exposed to SOX air pollution from cruiseships.
Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Venice are the most impacted cities.
Faig Abbasov, shipping policy manager at T&E, said: “Luxury cruiseships are floating cities powered by some of the dirtiest fuel possible.
"Cities are rightly banning dirty diesel cars but they’re giving a free pass to cruise companies that spew out toxic fumes that do immeasurable harm both to those on board and on nearby shores. This is unacceptable."
NOX emissions at 15% of car fleet
Nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions from the whole European cruise fleet amounted to about 15% of those from the car fleet in 2017, T&E said.
It said Europe should implement a zero-emission port standard as soon as possible.
"This could then be extended to other ship types," it added.
The report also recommended extending emission control areas (ECAs), currently in place only in the North and Baltic Seas and English Channel.
And it wants to see the regulation of NOX emissions from existing ships, which are currently exempt from NOx standards applying in ECAs.
Abbasov said: “There are enough mature technologies to clean up cruiseships. Shore-side electricity can help cut in-port emissions, batteries are a solution for shorter distances and hydrogen technology can power even the biggest cruiseships."
Carnival and RCCL have been contacted for comment.
