Dublin Bay Cruises has become the first domestic sea-based passenger excursion operator in the country to switch from fossil fuels to an alternative fuel using hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO).
The company's existing 100-seat capacity vessel, St. Bridget, has received a changeover carried out on the 26-metre boat, which has been in service since the company’s inception in 2012. They operate 7 cruises throughout the bay linking Dublin Port, Howth, and Dun Laoghaire Harbours.
Dublin Bay Cruises say they remanufactured the engines of St. Bridget to make the 1978-built former west coast islands ferry, more fuel-efficient and, as a result, "dramatically reduce emissions.".
The alternative use of HVO as a low-carbon biofuel serves as a direct replacement for regular diesel fuel for the St. Bridget, which also runs cruises around Ireland’s Eye off Howth and Dalkey Island along with views of Killiney Bay and Wicklow mountains.
HVO is produced by treating waste plant matter with hydrogen, which means the alternative fuel does not release any additional carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
DBC claims that using HVO as a fuel will reduce emissions by up to 90%. In addition, according to the seasonal operator (which is to resume in March), they exceed the climate targets set by Ireland and the EU.
Commenting on the development, DBC founder and M.D., Eugene Garrihy, said, "Recently, Dublin Bay Cruises faced a crucial decision—whether to invest in a larger vessel for increased passenger numbers or to reconsider our approach and focus on sustainability."
“After careful thought, we chose the latter. Our choice reflects not just a business decision but a responsibility to the environment. and the future of our coastal communities. We need to slow things down.”
More BusinessPlus reports on the operator in Dublin Bay, which is a UNESCO-designated biosphere that Garrihy describes as one of the most beautiful marine environments in the world.
