One of the biggest challenges in environmental protection is air pollution – for example through emissions of sulfur- and nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. To avoid harmful emissions even more effectively in future, we are committed to developing alternative methods of power generation and utilization in maritime transport, and we invest in new technologies. Ecofriendly treatment of resources, including fuel, is a central aspect here.
The best ton of fuel is the ton that we don’t use. For us, it doesn’t matter which fuel is used but how we can best avoid emissions. In the past few years, a number of technical innovations for alternative modes of power generation for ships have been developed. Today, no one can be certain which will be globally established in the future. That is why AIDA Cruises has invested significant sums so that it will be prepared for all forms of energy generation that are technically available today. In this, we are independent from the supply and flexible.
We support the phase plan of the IMO for reduction of ship emissions. Our motors can already process high-quality fuels such as low-sulfur HFO and marine gas oil (marine diesel). Low-sulfur fuel has been a reality on important routes for many years. In line with the legal regulations for the North- and Baltic Sea, we have only been using low-sulfur fuels since 2010. In all European ports since 2010, engines have been operating exclusively on diesel with a maximum sulfur content of 0.1%. We have been doing this in the Port of Hamburg since 2007. Since August 2012, we have been using fuel with a low-sulfur content of maximum 1.0% along the coast of North America. Sulfur emissions have thus been cut by 90%. This is a tangible result. However, low-sulfur fuel is not available everywhere. According to experts from the CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), demand cannot yet be met today. Therefore, the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) has decided to introduce a plan that will be phased in gradually. Refineries will have to update their equipment in order to be able to produce the required amounts.
To efficiently reduce our emissions, AIDA has comprehensively invested in new technologies. With the exhaust treatment, we can reduce our emissions further than as would be possible with low-sulfur fuel alone. To date, this is not available everywhere. The dual-fuel engines in our new ships can run on all traditional ship fuels or in the port with liquefied gas. The use of liquefied gas (LNG) is currently the most eco-friendly solution for ship operation as it is nearly emission-free. LNG does not produce any soot particles or sulfur oxide; in comparison to the use of marine diesel, nitrogen oxide is reduced by 80 percent, carbon monoxide emissions by 20 percent. In addition, we have prepared all ships put into service since 2007 for shoreside power and have launched the LNG Hybrid Barge as an alternative concept.
We also save energy with the continuous improvement of processes on board every day. In 2013, for example, we optimized the processes in our laundry facilities - including better use of the machines and improved operation times - and were thereby able to save around one fourth of the required energy. At the same time, we are also reducing CO2 emissions of the laundry facilities by 25 percent.
It has been proven that cruise ships are one of the most efficient means of transport with regard to CO2 emissions. Prof. Dr. Ing. Holger Watter from the Maritime Center at Flensburg University of Applied Sciences is a renowned expert in sustainable power systems. He says: “Just 3% of CO2 emissions are generated by maritime shipping and travel. Ships are the most efficient means of transporting goods and people. They have emission rates that are a fraction of those of other modes of transport (automobile, train, airplane). Maritime ‘power stations’ achieve degrees of efficiency that are above those of shoreside stations.” Furthermore, cruise ships also provide hotel accommodations, catering and infrastructure for leisure activities, as well as simply transport. These additional services are included in the evaluation of power use.
Overall, we are steering the right course in terms of environmental and climate protection. This is shown by our key indicators for energy.
With the launch of our tenth ship, AIDAstella, in 2013, the overall energy consumption of our fleet appears higher than in 2012. However, if the new addition to our fleet is evaluated in the context of our largest ship class, then energy consumption remains the same as the previous year. In terms of increasing environmental friendliness, one major advance we made was in the use of alternative fuels – low-sulfur heavy fuel oil and gas oil with substantially reduced sulfur content.
