AIDA Cruises Advances Sustainability Goals with Innovative Strategies

AIDA Cruises, a leading German cruise line and a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, has recently provided an update on its ongoing efforts to reduce emissions as part of its comprehensive sustainability strategy. The company has been investing heavily in developing a sustainable cruise market, aiming to lead the maritime energy transition through technical innovations and alternative fuel applications.

As part of its modernization program, named Evolution, AIDA is preparing for future growth with the construction of two new ships, set to be delivered in 2030 and winter 2031/2032. AIDA plans to invest a substantial amount in these vessels, with high three-digit million euros earmarked for the integration of advanced technologies aimed at reducing environmental impact.

During the first half of 2025, AIDA Cruises successfully sourced over 3,300 tons of ISCC EU-certified bio-LNG for its vessel, AIDAnova, at the ports of Hamburg, Kiel, and Zeebrugge. This bio-LNG is derived from agricultural biogas plants across Europe and processed for maritime use at a liquefaction facility in Belgium. Dirk Inger, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Communication & Sustainability, highlighted the limitations of biofuels: “It’s widely understood that sustainably produced biofuels can only contribute to achieving the climate goals of Paris, the EU, and the IMO in the short term due to their limited availability.”

Inger noted that AIDA is collaborating with scientific and industrial partners to explore future applications of e-fuels, which are generated from renewable energy sources. Challenges remain regarding the availability of these renewable fuels, their industrial production, and the current pricing, which is not yet competitive.

AIDA Cruises has been actively utilizing various biofuels since summer 2022. In a pilot project, AIDAprima used 100% of a residual biofuel (BMF 100) in 2024, achieving a reduction in CO2 emissions by over 90%. All LNG-powered ships in the AIDA fleet are equipped to adopt bio- and e-fuels as they become more readily available in the cruise industry. The next generation of AIDA ships will also feature multi-fuel propulsion technology, allowing for the use of various renewable fuels.

Shore power technology is another significant focus for AIDA Cruises, which has been a pioneer in its use within the European cruise sector for over two decades. AIDAsol became the first cruise ship to operate using shore power at Europe’s first facility in Hamburg Altona in 2017. The expansion of shore power facilities in European ports has led to a remarkable increase in shore power connections for AIDA ships, from 65 in 2023 to 381 in 2024. As of August 2025, AIDA vessels had already connected to shore power over 250 times, allowing them to shut down their main engines while docked, thus reducing emissions by up to 98% depending on the energy source mix used.

AIDA Cruises anticipates that the number of successful shore power connections will surpass 400 by the end of 2025. Inger emphasized the importance of shore power technology: “For us, this technology is a relevant central topic to the transformation of cruising in Europe.” Currently, shore power is available in 14 ports across seven European countries, including major destinations like Hamburg, Warnemünde, and Oslo.

In addition to these initiatives, AIDA Cruises is implementing various energy production technologies to enhance operational efficiency and lower emissions. In 2022, the company installed the cruise industry’s largest battery storage system, with a capacity of 10 MWh, on AIDAprima. This system allows for peak shaving during sea operations, optimizing engine performance and reducing fuel consumption.

The company invests seven-figure amounts annually in projects aimed at increasing energy efficiency across its fleet. These efforts include technical modifications to improve air conditioning and refrigeration systems, enhanced waste heat utilization, and the widespread adoption of LED technology for lighting. All AIDA ships are equipped with an integrated energy management system connected to a centralized data platform, facilitating continuous optimization of ship operations.

AIDA Cruises operates 11 ships that call at over 350 ports globally across 60 countries on five continents. With its commitment to sustainability and innovation, AIDA Cruises aims to achieve net-zero emissions in ship operations by 2050, reflecting its dedication to a greener future in the cruise industry.