The Balmoral is back in Southampton after a scenic voyage to two charming French ports – Saint Malo and Rouen. With our passengers disembarked and memories made, it’s time to prepare for our next journey, one that will take us to three iconic Baltic cities: Oslo, Gothenburg, and Copenhagen.
As we get ready to set sail, we’re topping up our fuel tanks with Marine Diesel Oil (MDO). We already have MDO onboard from our previous cruise, but with a longer voyage through regulated waters coming up, it’s essential to ensure we have enough to carry us through. But it’s not just fuel we’re loading; provisions for the guests and crew are also being brought aboard. Still, let’s talk fuel – specifically, why the Balmoral is topping up Marine Diesel Oil (MDO) for this upcoming cruise.
MDO is a cleaner-burning fuel compared to traditional heavy fuel oils. It’s low in sulfur content and emits fewer pollutants, making it a better choice for the environment – and, for this cruise, a regulatory necessity.
The Balmoral will be sailing entirely within areas designated as Emission Control Areas (ECAs), specifically the North Sea ECA and the Baltic Sea ECA. These are special zones established under the MARPOL convention (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships), where stricter controls are in place to minimize airborne emissions from ships.
Emission Control Areas are regions where ships are required to meet tighter emission standards to protect air quality. These standards are particularly focused on reducing sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter – all of which are harmful to both human health and the environment.
The North Sea ECA includes the waters off the coasts of the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Scandinavia. The Baltic Sea ECA covers much of the northern European waters between Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and the Baltic states. In these zones, ships must use fuel with a sulfur content no higher than 0.10% by mass.
That’s why we’re bunkering MDO today. It ensures that the Balmoral remains fully compliant with international regulations and contributes to the global effort to reduce maritime pollution. It’s just one part of our broader commitment to sustainable cruising – because we believe the journey should be as clean and responsible as the destinations we visit.
As we head toward the crystal waters of Oslofjord, the historic harbors of Gothenburg, and the colorful canals of Copenhagen, we do so with fuel that reflects our values – clean, efficient, and forward-looking.
Seafarer and Family Man
I'm Dexter— a seafarer by profession, a traveler by passion, and a homebody by choice.
