AIDA Cruises – the German-language cruise line owned by Carnival – has tested one of its ships, for the first time, using 100% renewable Bio Marine Fuel.
The move, in the port of Rotterdam, is part of a pilot project aimed at evaluating the fuel performance in regular ship operations for potential future use.
The Bio Marine Fuel (BMF100) sustainable biofuel, supplied by VARO Energy, is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of 85% compared to conventional fossil fuels.
It sees the AIDAprima ship being refuelled with blended advanced biofuels for the first time.
“We are focused on identifying advanced fuels and technologies we can use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said AIDA Cruises President, Felix Eichhorn.
“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.
“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.”
After refuelling 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.
