On 27th September, 2024, Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP), the Danish cruise network Cruise Denmark – Copenhagen and Beyond and AIDA Cruises discussed how the three dimensions of sustainability can best be implemented in an efficient, socially and environmentally sustainable manner.
The meeting was held on board the cruise ship ‘AIDAnova’.
Felix Eichhorn, AIDA Cruises’ President (pictured), welcomed members of the Danish Parliament and the Copenhagen City Council, tourism service providers and cruise-related companies on board the vessel.
The event’s aim was to promote dialogue on sustainable developments in the cruise industry.
The Baltic is a very popular cruise destination among German guests. From an initial summer-only destination, AIDA Cruises has now developed a year-round destination, together with the destinations.
Copenhagen plays a central role, as AIDA Cruises is now a regular visitor to the Danish capital all year round with six ships.
“In the Baltic Sea region alone, we call at more than 20 ports, with Copenhagen recording the most AIDA calls. We come to the destinations as guests and partners and are committed to constructive dialogue.
“From guest management and the value chain to the promotion of sustainable projects, we are a reliable partner at the side of the regions we visit.
“We are particularly pleased that the commissioning of the first shoreside power plant for cruise ships in Copenhagen is on the agenda for next year. We will be available to the port as a project planning partner,” Eichhorn said.
Together with AIDA Cruises, three countries’ ports in the Baltic region have already put shore power systems into operation.
In June, 2023, Denmark’s first shore power system was inaugurated in Aarhus by ‘AIDAmar’. The first Swedish system was put into operation in Stockholm in July, 2024 with ‘AIDAdiva’, while on 24th September, 2024, a new system was officially opened in Oslo by ‘AIDAluna’.
“From both a Cruise Denmark – Copenhagen and Beyond and Cruise Baltic – two of the major cruise networks in the Baltic Sea region – perspective, the leadership that AIDA, together with their colleagues from other international cruise brands, takes, is of vital importance in fulfilling our visions.
“That is to make the Baltic Sea the world’s most sustainable cruise destination making the cruise journey climate-neutral well before 2050. We were happy to experience the political interest and engagement in our work and our ambitions,” said Klaus Bondam, Director of Connectivity, Culture and Destinations at Wonderful Copenhagen.
On board ‘AIDAnova’, the sustainability dialogue involved presentations, as well as interactive Q&A sessions that enabled in-depth discussions on environmental initiatives. Destination guest management was also discussed.
The cruise industry sees itself as part of the solution, as cruises are the easiest form of travel to plan and manage, compared to land-based tourism, it was revealed.
One item on the programme took participants behind the scenes at ‘AIDAnova’, including to the engine control room, the ship’s shore power system and the waste treatment facilities. Here, participants were able to discuss operational and environmental issues directly with the officers of the various ship’s departments.
“A very special thank you to AIDA Cruises for hosting this important event and for sharing their vision on sustainability and environment friendly practices.
“Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP) aims to become one of the most sustainable ports in the world by 2025, and we look forward to continuing working together with the cruise industry, the city of Copenhagen, politicians and local partners to deliver the most sustainable cruise experience in Copenhagen”, Luis de Carvalho, CMP’s Commercial Cruise Director, said.
Meanwhile, on 25th September, ‘AIDAnova’ became the 100th vessel to connect up with shore power at Kiel – a first for Germany.
‘AIDAnova’ called at Kiel’s Ostseekai. Almost 70% of ocean-going cruise ships have used Kiel’s shore power facilities so far this season.
“At the beginning of the year, our declared goal was to connect cruise ships – and we are very pleased that we have now achieved this before the end of the season,”, said Dr Dirk Claus, Managing Director of SEEHAFEN KIEL.
“‘While half of the connections last year were still for technical preparation tests, 85% of the connections are now pure standard supply. This makes it clear that the development of shore-based power supply for seagoing vessels into a standardised technology can work.
“Particularly in view of the national environmental targets in the maritime sector, we can say: Kiel is well prepared and our shore power strategy of recent years is paying off. By 2025, we will have invested around €55 mill in our plants,” he said.
In addition to shipping companies, such as AIDA, TUI, MSC and Costa, vessels operated by Hapag-Lloyd, Holland America Line and Phoenix Reisen also use Kiel’s shore power facilities.
A third of the 100 connections were made via the newly built facility at the Ostuferhafen, which went into regular operation for the first time this year and supplies the ‘MSC Euribia’ and ‘Costa Diadema’.
