Our long-term goal is to build a fleet whose operation will not burden the environment with emissions and noise. That is why we invest not only in fleet modernisation, but also in engine replacements on older boats.
The biggest air polluter in central Prague is road traffic. Among the busiest sections is the Barrandov Bridge, with 144,000 cars passing each day. The Barrandov Bridge serves as the main approach into the centre, and a large share of residents from Prague-West and more distant towns commute to work this way. The average Czech commuting to work in a diesel car pollutes the air with 11.5 g of carbon monoxide and 0.9 g of particulate matter. The highest emissions in central Prague are regularly measured at the intersection of Sokolska and Jecna streets, where 20,000 vehicles pass each day. Although traffic is lighter than on the Barrandov Bridge, vehicles stop and start at the intersection, which increases the amount of exhaust emissions. Another centre of traffic pollution is the nearby intersection of Jecna and Stepanska streets, above Charles Square, where 19,000 vehicles pass each day.
By contrast, boat transport is still the most environmentally friendly mode of transport. Our fleet includes the eco-friendly boats Grand Bohemia, Bohemia Rhapsody and Agnes de Bohemia, built at the German family-run Bolle shipyard, which represent the European top of personal water transport in every respect.
In motorisation terms, Grand Bohemia is comparable to a modern coach. But Grand Bohemia carries 10 times more people than a coach — meaning 10 times lower emissions per person on a boat trip than on a coach trip! To fully reduce the carbon footprint of our cruises, last year we planted 10,000 trees.
Technological development moves forward steadily, and as a result, electric-powered engines are increasingly used in road transport, while engines powered by hydrogen are being considered for the future. Once the necessary infrastructure is available and safe operation of hydrogen engines is ensured, we will be able to convert our boats to this eco-friendly propulsion as well. For now, electric motors have found wider use on smaller boats such as Mistr Jan Hus, Elvira and Elektronemo. The first large electric-powered excursion boat is Bella Bohemia, whose construction we again commissioned from the German Bolle shipyard.
