Briefs: AC on board ships

Oasis of the Seas, the world¡¯s largest cruise liner, recently left Florida on its first public voyage. It can carry over 6000 passengers and 2300 staff. The Oasis of the Seas was built in Finland at a cost of GBP 800 million, making it the most expensive commercial vessel ever built. Among amenities on board: 4500 air-conditioning units, a park boasting 12¡¡000 live plants and trees, four pools, an ice-skating rink, a miniature golf course and a 1380-seat theatre. On November 20, 2009, the German Environment Ministry has extended its Blue Angel eco-label to the most climate-friendly new-built ships. Ship yards and docks are encouraged to become more ambitious in achieving environmental compatibility in the designing and construction phases, and uptake of CO2 in air-conditioning and refrigeration on board ships is expected to rise. A specific requirement concerns the use of climate-friendly refrigerants in air-conditioning applications.