Carnival Corporation is advancing its fuel efficiency for propulsion with hull designs, hardware and technology, as well as with underwater drone inspection and cleaning trials.

The company said in a press release that its strategies focus on maximizing hydrodynamic performance and enhancing ongoing hull maintenance, which reduces a ship’s underwater drag.

Together, the efforts reduce fuel use across the fleet and lower the company’s overall greenhouse gas emissions.

“We’re not just tinkering here; we’re looking at every available area for improvement for how our cruise ships operate,” said Lars Ljoen, chief maritime officer for Carnival Corporation.

“By combining state-of-the-art hull designs, advanced propulsion technology and years of experience, we’re continuously enhancing our ships’ performance,” he added. “This has been a journey of small steps and years of continued collaboration to push the boundaries of innovation and drive solutions for greater efficiencies.”

“It is safe to say that collectively, these initiatives have contributed to significant improvements in fuel and energy efficiency over time. In essence, we are continuously reducing our environmental footprint; at the same time, we deliver the best vacation experience for our guests.”

According to the press release, the following elements improve hydrodynamic efficiency and reduce the power and fuel needed across its fleet:

Computer-assisted analysis enables ship and propeller designers to use simulations to identify the best design options for different sailing conditions.

Software onboard optimizes the trim of a vessel by transferring ballast water internally, ensuring operation in the best configuration for propulsive efficiency.

Over 40 ships in the fleet have 360-degree steerable podded propulsion units, being ~7 percent more efficient than conventional propellers.

Over 10 percent of the fleet is equipped with air lubrication systems, using air bubbles to reduce the ship’s resistance in the water and reducing propulsive fuel consumption by 5 percent.

Drones monitor the condition of hull coatings, allowing the company to optimize the timing of hull cleaning and manage marine growth and debris.

The company is conducting trials with service providers that offer remotely operated vehicle “robot” hull cleaners, offering improvement opportunities for cleaning speed, efficiency and quality.

New hull coatings with advanced biofouling prevention are being tested across the company’s global operations to evaluate durability, efficiency, longevity and ease of application.