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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HOLLAND AMERICA LINE’S SEAWATER SCRUBBING TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION PROJECT What is seawater scrubbing? Seawater scrubbing is a technology that has been used successfully for many years at land-based, oil- and coal-fired power plants to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and particulate matter. It is simple technology that uses the natural chemistry of seawater to neutralize the acidic emissions and capture particulates emitted from large engines. While this technology has been used ashore for many years, it is just now being considered as a potentially viable method to treat emissions from diesel engines on large, ocean-going vessels. Why is HAL investing in this sea water scrubber technology demonstration project? This innovative project is intended to demonstrate how seawater scrubbing can be used on large oceangoing vessels. We will attempt to determine whether this technology can be successfully designed, installed and operated within the tight confines of a vessel, and ultimately whether it could be retrofitted onto existing vessels, or built on-board new ships. Holland America Line is committed to environmental protection and we believe in being proactive in solving environmental issues. We are extremely proud to be working to develop this technology in the maritime industry and understand that it is important to collaborate with key partners to find practical and cost effective solutions that solve today's global environmental challenges. Where and when will this technology demonstration project take place? In April 2007, HAL will install a sea water scrubber in the stack of one of five diesel generators on the ms Zaandam when she is in drydock. After the seawater scrubber is installed, the Zaandam will sail to Hawaii and then spend the summer cruising to Alaska from Vancouver, B.C. In the fall of 2007 and the winter and early spring of 2008, the Zaandam will sail from San Diego California to both Hawaii and along the Mexican Riviera. During the remainder of 2008 she will again cruise to Alaska, California, Hawaii and Mexico. Besides Holland America Line, who else is involved in the project? Because minimizing emissions from marine diesel engines is important to communities up and down the West Coast of North America, Holland America Line has partnered with a number of private and public entities to make this study possible. The sea water scrubber expertise and technology is currently out for bid. In addition to the substantial funding provided by HAL, public agencies have provided grant funding too. The United States Environmental Protection Agency is providing $300,000 dollars, while the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is providing $100,000. Environment Canada is contributing $35,000 and the British Columbia Ministry of the Environment and the Clean Air Research Fund has offered $38,000. Both the Port of Vancouver, British Columbia and the Port of Seattle, Washington have provided $50,000 each. The total cost of this technology demonstration project will be more than $1,300,000. What will sea water scrubbing technology accomplish? This technology is expected to eliminate more than 95% of sulfur dioxide (SOx) emissions and reduce particulate matter (PM) emissions by 50-80%. As part of this project, Holland America Line is also installing fuel emulsion pre-treatment technology which is expected to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) by approximately 10%. What are the principal components of the sea water scrubber system? The seawater scrubber has three principal components: 1) Micro emulsion heavy fuel oil fuel (HFO) pretreatment, 2) The sea water scrubber contact chamber, and 3) Hydro-cyclone treatment of the wash water discharged from the scrubber chamber How does the sea water scrubber system work? Heavy fuel oil is pre-treated to reduce the NOx formed during combustion by mixing a small percentage of water into the fuel in an emulsification unit. When this emulsified fuel is burned in the main engines, it burns at a slightly lower temperature, reducing the nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the emissions. The engine emissions enter the scrubber contact chamber, where raw sea water is pumped up to injectors and sprayed downwards through the rising, high temperature engine emissions. This system will use approximately 360 tons of sea water per hour. When SOx in the engine emissions comes into contact with seawater, there is a fast and efficient chemical reaction between the SOx and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the seawater, to form calcium sulfate (gypsum) and CO2. This reaction neutralizes the acidity of SOx and consumes a small amount of the buffering capacity of the seawater. The reaction is complete in a very short time, so the equipment can be compact and achieve high reduction efficiencies. The sea water that is sprayed through the contact chamber also captures many of the particulates in the engine emissions. The scrubber wash water that is collected at the bottom of the scrubber contact chamber is treated through a hydrocyclone unit which uses centrifugal force to separate the particulate matter from the water. Wash water that is discharged from the ship will have a nearly neutral pH, less than 1 part per million of oil, and nearly non-detectable (tens of parts per billion) concentrations of metals (metals are present in fuel oil and are not burned during combustion). The particulate sludge that is generated by the hydrocyclone will be legally discharged ashore. What other steps can be taken to reduce emissions from cruise ships? There are numerous other steps that Holland America line is currently taking to decrease fuel consumption and the resultant engine emissions. These steps include: • Applying special silicon paint to the hulls of our ships to reduce drag and improve hydronamic efficiency; • Revising itineraries to take advantage of shorter routes and/or natural tides and currents to assist us in getting to our destinations on time; • Putting a film on windows to reduce heat from the sun thus minimizing the load on air conditioning units, and reducing other onboard power requirements anywhere we can. HAL is also testing operational software called NAPA, which provides real-time information to the ships’ captains and provides weather, tide, and current information and suggestions for optimal engine speed and engine configuration. Our goal in 2007 is to reduce fuel consumption by 2% below the budgeted amount. .

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