First full cruise season under new rules start

 

 

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — More than 1 million cruise ship passengers are expected to visit Alaska this year, but industry officials fear new fuel standards intended to limit pollution from large ships could drive vessels away and lower that number later.

This will be the first full cruise season in Alaska under rules that require cargo carriers and cruise ships to use a low-sulfur fuel within 200 miles of U.S. and Canadian shores. The U.S. agreed to the standards as part of an international treaty.

While the rules affect much of the North American coast and Hawaii, officials in Alaska argue they will have a disproportionate effect here, and they have sued to prevent the restrictions from being enforced in waters off Alaska's coast.

A federal judge has yet to weigh in on the lawsuit filed by the state shortly before the new standards took effect Aug. 1. Meanwhile, the first ships of this season have begun arriving in Alaska.

Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/First-full-cruise-season-under-new-rules-start-4480791.php#ixzz2TDcXAJJO