AIDA and the Use of Shore Power Systems in Ports
The use of shore power is becoming increasingly important, and the cruise company AIDA Cruises is playing a key role in the growing availability and utilization of these facilities.
Recently, the Port of Oslo celebrated the inauguration of the new shore power system together with AIDA Cruises, which will allow cruise ships calling at Oslo to be powered by electricity from the shore during their stay in port. The star of the inauguration was AIDAluna, with the presence of Anita Leirvik North, Vice Mayor for Culture and Economic Development, and Einar Marthinussen, Commercial Director of the Port of Oslo, who welcomed the captain of AIDAluna, Marc-Dominique Tidow, to the pier. With the cutting of the ribbon, the shore power system was officially put into regular operation. Before the inauguration, an extensive test phase had been conducted, during which AIDAluna had already been successfully powered with green energy from the shore.
AidaLuna shore power
Dirk Inger, SVP Public Affairs, Communication & Sustainability at AIDA Cruises, expressed his pleasure at being able to provide shore power to AIDA ships in the Port of Oslo, which is very important for Northern Europe, highlighting that this technology is relevant on the path toward net-zero emissions in maritime operations. Einar Marthinussen thanked the team for the excellent cooperation during the testing phase, for contributing to emission reductions, and for supporting Oslo’s ambitious climate goals. He further noted that to date, 20 out of 43 cruise ships have connected to the facility, achieving a connection rate much higher than anticipated, specifying that 2024 was intended to be a test year during which both the Port of Oslo and shipping companies would familiarize themselves with the facility.
Port of Oslo
Port of Oslo
In September, the Port of Kiel also achieved a new record in the use of shore power, as cruise ships have already utilized the system 100 times this year. This significant milestone was reached with the connection of AIDAnova, confirming AIDA Cruises as the main user of this technology, having already utilized shore power in Kiel a total of 41 times in 2024. The cruise company had advocated for the construction of this facility back in 2018 and signed an agreement with the City of Kiel, the state government, and the Port of Kiel to install a shore power connection. The completed facility was officially inaugurated by AIDAsol in the summer of 2021. AIDA Cruises has supported the port as a pilot partner for the commissioning of the shore power system not only in Kiel but also in Rostock, Hamburg, and other European ports.
AIDA President Felix Eichhorn emphasized that AIDA already uses shore power in all German ports, with the goal of utilizing this technology in all Baltic Sea ports as well. AIDA, along with the ports, is actively promoting the further expansion of port infrastructure, thus supporting the European Union’s goal of making shore power available in all major European ports by 2030.
The Port of Kiel and AIDA Cruises were among the first in the industry to develop a rigorous shore-side energy strategy. In Kiel, 70 percent of ocean-going cruise ships used shore power systems this year, marking an important step towards the goal of providing green electricity to all cruise ships.
AIDAnova
AIDAnova Kiel
AIDAnova Kiel
AIDA Cruises has considered the use of shore power in the design and construction of its cruise ships since 2004 and is continuously expanding the use of shore power thanks to the opening of additional facilities in European cruise areas. In April 2022, for example, AIDA Cruises signed a memorandum of understanding with Cruise Baltic, a network of 32 ports and destinations, to utilize shore power in ports throughout the Baltic Sea region. In June 2023, Denmark’s first shore power system was inaugurated in Aarhus with AIDAmar. In July 2024, Sweden’s first system was inaugurated in Stockholm with AIDAdiva. On September 24, 2024, the new shore power facility in Oslo was opened with AIDAluna. With this commissioning, cruise ships can now access green energy in 12 ports across six European countries.
Starting in 2024, all AIDA ships departing from German ports will be able to use shore power during their time in port. The next steps have already been defined; for example, next year, the first shore power system for cruise ships will go into operation in Copenhagen. AIDA Cruises will again assist the port as a project partner.
The company has been investing for many years in a sustainable and future-proof cruise market. In addition to the use of shore power and liquefied natural gas (LNG) as an important bridging technology, AIDA Cruises is expanding the use of alternative energy sources to power its cruise ships. In collaboration with various partners, the cruise line is working intensively on further solutions, and as part of Carnival Corporation & plc, aims to achieve net-zero emissions in its fleet operations by 2050.
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