Ships carrying more than 12 passengers on voyages must comply with the regulations laid down by the International Convention on Load Lines and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). To tackle the growing pollution problem, the cruise industry has introduced friendly propulsion and operational improvements. The idea of cruising dates back to the 19th century, when Italian grand tours began aboard the Francisco I. In 1844, P&O Cruises launched commercial cruises to destinations such as Malta, Gibraltar and Athens. The first ship specifically designed for cruising was the Prinzessin Victoria Luise, which began sailing in 1900. In the coming years, cost-effective and environmentally friendly ships, especially those powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), are expected to take precedence. Since the 1980s, cruise ships have grown in size and technological advances, with a focus on improving passenger entertainment and comfort. Notable examples of LNG-fuelled ships are the Costa Smeralda, the Icon of the Seas and the AIDAnova. AIDAnova, an LNG-fuelled cruise ship, has modular engine rooms and hybrid engines that greatly reduce emissions. Icon of Seas, currently the largest cruise ship ever built, has a large number of passengers and many state-of-the-art eco-facilities. LNG-powered ships are expected to become more widespread as technology and structural design advance. The first LNG-powered ferry, Glutra, entered service in 2000, marking a milestone in LNG ferry engineering. Since then, larger and faster ferries such as the Viking Grace and Francisco have been introduced. In the past, ocean liners have played an important role in the carriage of passengers and mail, with the Queen Mary 2 being the only ocean liner still in service. Advances in fuel cell and LNG propulsion technologies are key to reducing emissions and improving efficiency. The increase in ferries equipped with battery capacity reflects the shift towards environmentally friendly maritime transport.
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