AIDA Cruises has reported substantial progress in its decarbonisation strategy during 2025, with significant advances in the use of bio-LNG, increased shore power connections, and ongoing investment in future technologies. 

AIDA Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation, is positioning itself as a test case for the integration of alternative fuels and energy efficiency measures in large-scale cruise operations.

In the first half of 2025, AIDAnova, the line’s flagship, consumed more than 3,300 tonnes of ISCC EU-certified bio-LNG, sourced at the ports of Hamburg, Kiel and Zeebrugge. According to the company, the fuel originated from agricultural biogas plants across Europe and was processed for maritime use through the mass balance method at a liquefaction facility in Belgium.

The adoption followed initial tests in 2024 and represents one of the largest applications of bio-LNG in the global cruise sector. Dirk Inger, Senior Vice President Public Affairs, Communication & Sustainability at AIDA Cruises, said that while sustainably produced biofuels can play a role in the short term, their limited availability means they cannot form the sole pathway to achieving the Paris Agreement, EU, and IMO climate targets.

“Challenges in our planning include the availability of renewable fuels, their industrial production, and the currently non-competitive prices. Moreover, there are still no internationally uniform regulations for using alternative fuels on board cruise ships in many areas,” Inger said during a briefing in Hamburg.

In parallel, the company is working with partners in research and development to explore e-fuels produced from renewable energy sources. These could provide a more scalable solution if regulatory and pricing hurdles can be addressed.

Biofuel experience on AIDAprima

The company has been testing biofuels since summer 2022, particularly on AIDAprima. In 2024, the ship completed a pilot project using 100% residual biofuel (BMF 100). According to the manufacturer, this fuel reduces CO₂ emissions by more than 90%.

All LNG-powered ships in the fleet are already technically prepared to operate on bio- and e-fuels as availability improves. Future ships under construction for delivery in spring 2030 and winter 2031/2032 will feature multi-fuel propulsion technology capable of using a range of alternative fuels. AIDA says these newbuilds, part of its Evolution modernisation programme, will represent an investment of more than half a billion dollars.

Alongside alternative fuels, shore power remains central to AIDA Cruises’ decarbonisation efforts. The company has been involved in developing shore power infrastructure for more than two decades, with AIDAsol becoming the first cruise ship to use a European shore power facility in Hamburg Altona in 2017.

Connections have increased rapidly as facilities expand across Europe. AIDA vessels logged 65 connections in 2023, rising to 381 in 2024. By the end of August 2025, the fleet had already exceeded 250 connections, with the total expected to surpass 400 by year-end.

Shore power allows cruise ships to shut down their main engines while docked, using onshore electricity for onboard systems. Depending on the energy mix, emissions reductions can be as high as 98%, with the added benefit of improved local air quality in port cities.

“For us, this technology is a relevant central topic to the transformation of cruising in Europe,” Inger said. “We see that the offering has evolved in recent years—not least due to close cooperation between ports, policymakers, and the cruise industry. To maintain this momentum, we need reliable framework conditions and consistent implementation of expansion plans.”

At present, AIDA vessels can access shore power in 14 ports across seven European countries, including Hamburg, Warnemünde, Kiel, Oslo, Stockholm, and Copenhagen. This represents a fraction of the roughly 350 ports visited by the fleet annually, underlining the importance of further infrastructure development.

Battery storage and energy management

Beyond fuels and shore power, AIDA is deploying technologies to improve efficiency and reduce overall fuel consumption. In 2022, AIDAprima was fitted with what remains the largest battery storage system in the cruise industry, with a capacity of 10 MWh. The system supports “peak shaving”, ensuring engines operate within an optimal performance range and storing surplus power for later use during periods of higher demand.

This initiative was recognised with the ESG Shipping Award International in Gold in 2024.

The company is also investing seven-figure sums annually in energy efficiency retrofits across its fleet. These include modifications to air conditioning and refrigeration systems, enhanced waste heat recovery, and the widespread installation of LED lighting and demand-driven controls in cabins and public areas.

All ships are integrated into a group-wide energy management platform, which supports real-time decision-making and operational optimisation. AIDA also employs digital tools using machine learning and artificial intelligence to analyse operational data and identify further opportunities to improve efficiency.

AIDA Cruises currently operates 11 ships and employs 18,000 people worldwide. By focusing on multiple approaches, biofuels, e-fuels, shore power, batteries, and efficiency retrofits, AIDA is attempting to build resilience into its strategy while navigating uncertainties over fuel pricing, regulatory alignment, and technological readiness.

As part of Carnival Corporation, AIDA Cruises has committed to achieving net-zero emissions in ship operations by 2050. While the timeline for large-scale deployment of e-fuels remains uncertain, the company’s investment pattern demonstrates an effort to keep multiple decarbonisation pathways open.