In response to the severe drought situation affecting Catalonia, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and its members have reached an agreement with the Port of Barcelona to suspend water supply to cruise ships except in emergencies. . Other ports are being asked to adopt similar policies, leading to concerns about cruises this summer.
Spain is currently experiencing its worst drought in 100 years, particularly affecting Catalonia, which includes Barcelona, and extending to Andalusia, Spain’s most populous region. Due to the drought, Catalonia has declared a state of drought emergency.
Drought conditions may affect cruise ships
Spain is currently facing its most severe drought in 100 years, with major impacts on daily life and a wide range of tourism sectors, including cruise operations.
As winter winds down and cruise season approaches spring, water shortages are becoming a challenge for ships bound for Catalonia and its capital Barcelona, Spain’s largest cruise port.
Cruise industry trade association CLIA has taken a first step towards addressing potential problems related to cruise ships by working with local authorities to agree that water will not be supplied from the Port of Barcelona during the emergency phase of the drought. Already taking a step.
Whether a lack of water intake at ports will have a significant impact on cruise ships depends on the ship’s ability to produce water on board. Cruise ships have traditionally relied on ports for fresh water supplies, and water withdrawals have decreased significantly in recent years.
Innovations in water production, such as evaporators and reverse osmosis plants, have enabled these vessels to independently produce more than 90% of the fresh water they need.
Industry efforts have already significantly reduced water supplies at the Port of Barcelona, from 50% of incoming volumes in 2017 to less than 30% in 2022.
This year’s goal is to reduce the number of cruise ships requiring water while in port to 10%. This applies to all vessels that are members of CLIA, or the Cruise Lines International Association, which includes approximately 50 or more cruise lines.
large cruise ship Can use tens of thousands of gallons of water per day. This includes water used for drinking, cooking, bathing, restrooms, pools and slides, and other onboard activities. Most of the water is produced onboard through the desalination process, but additional water may be taken at ports of call.
Water restrictions may also be implemented at other ports
Barcelona is one of the busiest cruise ports in Europe, which means that water restrictions have a significant impact on the urban situation. But that also means demand for fresh water may be increasing at other ports as well.
Environmentalists are calling for similar measures in the Balearic Islands, which include Mallorca, Spain’s second-busiest cruise port.
of Platform for Mallorca Mega Cruise We are advocating for restrictions on water supplies to ships entering Mallorca.
“Although not reaching Catalonia’s severity level, the Balearic Islands are currently on drought alert on all but the smallest island, which is already on alert.” The group said in a statement: express.
The organization further stated that the large demand for water by cruise ships poses a risk to the water resources available on the island, and water usage may be restricted to ensure the impact on residents. Says.
For now, the situation appears to be fairly contained, but as more cruise ships sail to the Mediterranean in the coming months, the need for fresh water will only increase.
Cruise ships may choose to spend a day at sea rather than call at a port to ensure they can produce enough fresh water, a process that can only be accomplished at sea. If Spain’s drought continues throughout the spring and summer, be prepared for cruise ships to cancel port calls.
