AIDA Cruises pressing on with biofuel trials on a quest to find fuel mix of future

German cruise line AIDA Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation, has refueled its Hyperion-class cruise ship AIDAprima with 100% renewable Bio Marine Fuel (BMF100) as part of a pilot project to evaluate the fuel performance in regular ship operations for potential future use.

The BMF100 sustainable biofuel produced entirely from advanced feedstock organic waste or residue was delivered by Swiss-based company VARO Energy to AIDAprima on September 5 in Rotterdam.

After refueling in Rotterdam, AIDAprima will test the new biofuel during regular ship operations on upcoming voyages from Hamburg through the fjords of Norway. The fuel performance will help determine its potential for future use across the AIDA fleet.

According to AIDA Cruises, this biofuel is expected to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions minimum of 85% compared to conventional fossil fuels. Another advantage of using biofuels in regular ship operations is that they can be used without major modifications to the engines and tank infrastructure of existing ships.

“We are focused on identifying advanced fuels and technologies we can use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In our search for the fuel mix of the future, we have been gathering valuable experience through trials using various biofuels since 2022, and we continue to closely cooperate with experts from industry and science to develop new approaches to continuously reduce emissions,” said AIDA Cruises President Felix Eichhorn.

“In order to achieve a sustainable future, we need a growing supply of biofuels and other low-carbon alternative fuels – available globally at scale and at marketable prices.”

Sacha Konan, Country President / VP Commercial Benelux & France at VARO Energy, commented: “Since 2019 VARO has successfully developed, blended, and supplied a diverse range of biofuels for marine bunkering. Our products include B30/B100, HVO (up to 100 percent) and various low FAME biofuel blends. We are excited to supply AIDAprima, working with AIDA and Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise company.

“This operation, taking place near our Rotterdam office, reflects our ongoing efforts to support marine customers in their decarbonization journey as the industry adapts to new regulations. We look forward to continuing our work with AIDA and expanding our biofuel offerings in the ARA region and beyond.”

AIDA Cruises was one of the first in Carnival Corporation & plc’s family of cruise lines to test biofuels and was among the first to conduct live biofuel tests on working cruise ships globally. The cruise line’s biofuel tests support the overall Carnival Corporation sustainability mission, including its aspiration to achieve net-zero emissions from ship operation by 2050.

In addition to trailing biofuels, AIDA Cruises is using LNG to deliver immediate GHG emission reductions in the absence of market-ready zero-emission maritime fuels. The cruise line is also expanding its use of alternative energy sources such as shore power to operate ships in port, as well as onboard batteries to store extra energy for use during peak engine operation to reduce fuel use.

Together with various partners, the company is working on further solutions for using renewable and synthetic fuels.