AIDAprima first large cruise ship to be refueled with a blend of marine biofuel
AIDAprima was the first large cruise ship to be refueled with a blend of marine biofuel, which is obtained from 100% sustainable raw materials
A few weeks after announcing the creation of a department dedicated to decarbonization, the Costa Group, a cruise operator active in Europe with its two companies Costa Cruises and Aida Cruises, and part of Carnival Corporation & plc has taken an important step forward in its strategy. decarbonization by announcing that it will begin testing the use of biofuels aboard one of its Aida Cruises ships.
As part of its commitment to reducing CO2 emissions, on 21 July 2022, AIDAprima was the first large cruise ship to be refueled with a blend of marine biofuel, which is made from 100% sustainable raw materials. % such as waste cooking oil, and marine diesel oil (MGO) during its stop in Rotterdam ”explains a note from the group.
The partner of the collaboration is the Dutch biofuel pioneer GoodFuels. Aida Prima is currently traveling for seven days to cities in Western Europe and Norway to and from Hamburg.
In addition to the use of biofuels, the group’s efforts also include the installation of the first fuel cell on board Aida Nova and the commissioning of what is currently the largest battery storage system in the cruise industry, with a capacity of ten megawatts per hour aboard Aida Prima.
In addition, the Costa group is focusing on expanding and increasing the use of land-based energy in ports where infrastructure is available.
The Costa Group recalled that it had already tested the use of regenerated biofuels in marine diesel engines together with research partners from the University of Rostock. The first roll-out in regular naval operations has now been carried out. The partnership with GoodFuels will now be developed over the long term.
With these short, medium, and long-term measures, Costa actively contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the European Green Deal decarbonization goals.
