Austria
Microfibres from laundry wastewater are identified as a major source of oceanic microplastic pollution.1 In a move against this environmental threat, Marella Cruises has teamed up with Cleaner Seas Group to initiate a six-month trial aboard the Marella Explorer. The scientifically monitored initiative aims at capturing microplastics from the ship’s crew laundry system and is monitored by the University of Surrey. A similar initiative is already underway on TUI-Cruises Mein Schiff 3.
The trial involves the installation of two INDIKON filters on the crew laundry system of the Marella Explorer. These filters, designed by Cleaner Seas Group, are specifically engineered to capture microplastics from washing machine wastewater..
Researchers from the University of Surrey will monitor and measure the microplastics captured on board the ship. With the help of their research, the Cleaner Seas Group will adapt any filter technology throughout the trial and provide long term filter solutions in microplastic capture. Marella Cruises will review the results of the six-month trial before rolling out the INDIKON filters across the entire fleet of ships; Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2, Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2 and the newest ship to the fleet, Marella Voyager.
TUI Cruises is also trailing a similar microplastic filter initiative on prevention of ocean pollution. The technology is currently being tested on board Mein Schiff 3 and the results are being scientifically analysed.
