Main content
World Ports Conference Hamburg: AIDA President Michael Ungerer takes a stand for the expansion of port infrastructure
Rostock, 04. June 2015
On occasion of this year's World Ports Conference in Hamburg Michael Ungerer, President of AIDA Cruises and Chairman of Cruise Association CLIA, spoke to representatives of the main port cities in the world on June 4th, 2015.
Ungerer talked about the development of the cruise industry in the German market and economic impacts of this increasingly important industry. He focused particularly on the port of Hamburg, which has become one of the leading cruise destinations in Northern Europe. He also presented the opportunities and challenges associated with the growth of the cruise industry.
"The demand for cruises continues. Between 2014 and 2017 the capacity of German cruise lines will grow by 42.9 %. By 2016 we want to reach the 2 million mark in Germany and there may also be a further million guests on top in the upcoming 3 to 4 years," said Ungerer. However, this can only be achieved, if all responsible parties start to think about the necessary requirements today. "The existing infrastructures of the Year 2015 will not be sufficient for this," Ungerer underlines.
Another key issue in the cooperation between cruise companies and ports is the continuous improvement of environmental performance.
"Sustainable management and the consistent protection of the environment are the guarantee for being able to successfully offer cruises in the future," said Ungerer.
Overall, AIDA Cruises will invest around 100 million euros in environmental and climate protection until 2016 and thus bring new technologies like a comprehensive exhaust gas treatment system, onshore power supply and LNG operation on the road. With this pilot project for the energy supply of cruise ships using LNG while being berthed in ports, which is thus far unique worldwide, AIDA Cruises and Becker Marine Systems have opened a new chapter for environmental protection in the port of Hamburg on May 30, 2015.
27. April 2017
AIDA Cruises receives latest member of the fleet – AIDAperla
Today (April 27, 2017), AIDA Cruises took delivery of AIDAperla in Nagasaki (Japan) from Mitshubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). In the presence of Michael Thamm, CEO Costa Group, Felix Eichhorn, President AIDA Cruises, Shunichi Miyanaga, President and CEO MHI, and Kazuaki Kimura, ... [more]
26. April 2017
Captain Boris Becker Takes Command of AIDAperla
His name is Boris Becker (36). We're not talking about the German tennis player, but the commander of a cruise ship – soon to be AIDAperla.
On the most recent test trip a few weeks ago, AIDAperla successfully demonstrated its maneuverability. In the following days, the ship ... [more]
21. April 2017
AIDA Cruises is this year’s gala host of the GOLDENE BILD DER FRAU
October 21, 2017, will be the big day: The “GOLDENE BILD DER FRAU” will be awarded for the 11th time. The FUNKE MEDIAGROUP announced on April 21 that for the first time ever, the awards ceremony will be taking place on a cruise ship in Hamburg, on board AIDAprima, the new AIDA ... [more]