AIDAnova: The Development of Sustainability
In September 2024, Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP), the Danish cruise network Cruise Denmark – Copenhagen and Beyond, and AIDA Cruises came together to discuss the best ways to implement the three dimensions of sustainability aboard AIDAnova.
The event, attended by Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises, welcomed members of the Danish Parliament and the Copenhagen City Council, as well as tourism service providers and cruise industry companies. The main goal was to foster dialogue on sustainable developments within the cruise industry.
AIDAnova
The Baltic Sea region is highly popular among German tourists and has evolved from a summer destination for cruise ships to a successful year-round destination. Copenhagen plays a central role, and with a total of six ships, AIDA Cruises is a regular visitor to the Danish capital throughout the year.
Felix Eichhorn pointed out that the company calls at more than 20 ports in the Baltic Sea region alone, with Copenhagen registering the highest number of AIDA port calls. The company is committed to engaging in constructive dialogue with the regions it visits, establishing itself both as a guest and as a partner. He also expressed his pleasure that the activation of the first shore power facility for cruise ships in Copenhagen is on the agenda for the coming year, offering to partner in the project’s planning.
The sustainability dialogue aboard AIDAnova featured presentations and interactive Q&A sessions, allowing for in-depth discussions on environmental initiatives. The management of guest experiences at destinations was also discussed. The cruise industry views itself as part of the solution, as cruises are the easiest form of travel to plan and manage compared to land-based tourism.
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An event program element took participants behind the scenes of AIDAnova, including the engine control room, the ship’s shore power system, and waste treatment facilities. Here, participants could gain a first-hand impression of AIDA Cruises’ comprehensive sustainability measures and discuss operational and environmental issues directly with the ship’s department officers.
Klaus Bondam, Director of Connectivity, Culture, and Destinations at Wonderful Copenhagen, highlighted how the leadership AIDA is taking, along with colleagues from other international cruise brands, is vital for realizing their visions. He emphasized that this is the right path to making the Baltic Sea the most sustainable cruise destination in the world, aiming to achieve carbon-neutral cruising well before 2050.
Luis de Carvalho, Commercial Director of Cruises at CMP, thanked AIDA Cruises for hosting this important event and sharing their vision on sustainability and eco-friendly practices, stating that Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP) aims to become one of the most sustainable ports in the world by 2025. To achieve this, CMP continues to collaborate with the cruise industry, the city of Copenhagen, politicians, and local partners to provide the most sustainable cruise experience in Copenhagen.
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Together with AIDA Cruises, ports in three countries in the Baltic Sea region have already put their shore power systems into operation. In June 2023, Denmark’s first shore power system was inaugurated in Aarhus with AIDAmar. The first Swedish system was activated in Stockholm in July 2024 with AIDAdiva. On September 24, 2024, a new system was officially opened in Oslo with AIDAluna. These flagship projects represent sustainable development based on partnerships in Baltic Sea destinations.
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