Seattle, WA- To determine the feasibility of new technology designed to dramatically reduce air emissions on seagoing vessels, Holland America Line plans on conducting a seawater scrubber feasibility project aboard one of its cruise ships thanks to the assistance of a $300,000 EPA/West Coast Collaborative grant and $100,000 contribution from Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. The total cost of the installation is more than $1.2 million. This innovative project is intended to demonstrate how advanced seawater scrubbing reduces air emissions on large oceangoing vessels. The results will determine whether this technology could be rolled out to new oceangoing vessels, as well as retrofitting existing vessels.

"Holland America Line has always had a vigorous environmental program and we believe in being proactive on environmental issues," said Stein Kruse, president and chief executive officer. "A scrubber has never previously been installed on a vessel engine of this size. We are extremely proud to be in the forefront of this technology and feel it is important to collaborate with key partners to find practical solutions."

"EPA is proud to be joining the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, Environment Canada and others in supporting Holland America Line's demonstration of this innovative emissions reducing technology," said Michelle Pirzadeh, Acting Deputy Regional Administrator for USEPA's Region 10. "This effort joining Holland America Line with other members of our West Coast Collaborative shows once again the power of public/private partnerships in supporting a healthy environment and a vibrant economy."

The seawater scrubber feasibility project is a collaborative effort. Partners in the project include Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, Environment Canada, Port of Seattle, Port of Vancouver and Caterpillar. Caterpillar will support the project with comprehensive research about the impact of scrubber technology on engine performance, reliability and service life. The current plan is to install the scrubber on the ms Zaandam in Spring, 2007. Following installation, the effectiveness of the scrubber will be analyzed and a final report submitted by June 2008. Holland America Line will be working closely with Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, who will be responsible for providing EPA funding and matching funds as a sub-recipient of the EPA grant award, as well as providing reports to the EPA and funding partners.

Technology and Potential Impact

This technology is expected to partially reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx), almost entirely eliminate sulfur dioxide (SOx) and significantly reduce particulate matter (PM). Heavy fuel oil is pretreated to reduce the NOx and PM formed during combustion. The engine emission enters the scrubber and the reaction between the SOx in the emission and the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in seawater reduces the SOx in the smoke to almost zero.

"We are proud to partner with Holland America Line on the first large-scale pilot of seawater scrubber technology," said Dennis McLerran, executive director of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. "This technology has the potential to significantly - and economically - reduce emissions from seagoing vessels, benefiting our coasts, and port communities."

For more than 130 years, Holland America Line ships have visited the most beautiful and unspoiled natural environments on the planet. As a cruise line leader, Holland America Line has led the industry in emphasizing environmental awareness, conservation, waste reduction and recycling for many years. Today, the line's environmental initiatives positively affect the lives of guests, staff, and the inhabitants of the many regions visited by Holland America Line's cruises and CruiseTours. For more information on Holland America Line Environmental Programs visit http://www.hollandamerica.com/about/environmental.do.

For more information on Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and West Coast Collaborative visit http://www.pscleanair.org, http://www.epa.gov and http://www.westcoastdiesel.org.

--www.hollandamerica.com--

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]

With the introduction of the 1,918-passenger ms Noordam in early 2006, Holland America Line's fleet grows to 13 ships, offering nearly 500 cruises from more than 25 home ports. Itineraries range from two to 108 days and visit all seven continents, including new Australia/New Zealand and Asia sailings, a world cruise and popular sailings to several ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico and Europe. The ms Noordam also will offer Caribbean sailings in the winter from new homeport New York City, followed by a full summer season sailing the Mediterranean round trip from Rome.

About West Coast Collaborative

The West Coast Collaborative is an ambitious partnership between leaders from federal, state, and local government, the private sector, and environmental groups committed to reducing diesel emissions along the West Coast. Partners come from all over Western North America, including California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. The Collaborative is focused on creating, supporting and implementing diesel emissions reductions projects.

Holland America Line

Holland America Line

Holland America Line’s fleet of 13 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to more than 320 ports.Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, including Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia and Grand World Voyages; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. In the 2006 Portrait of Affluent Travelers survey by Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown and Russell, Holland America Line topped the list of cruise lines sought after by affluent leisure travelers. Its recently completed $225 million fleetwide Signature of Excellence enhancements added features such as the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine — a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes — Explorations Café© powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner’s Dream Beds. For more information, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com. Among the highest-rated cruise lines in the world, Holland America Line is a member of the exclusive World’s Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise Line, and Costa Cruises. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, these lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. The World’s Leading Cruise Lines offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world’s most desirable destinations.

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