AIDAsol fuelled with low-emission electricity from LNG for the first time on 30 May
By
Rebecca Gibson |
AIDA Cruises’ AIDAsol was successfully fuelled with low-emission electricity from liquefied natural gas (LNG) at the port of Hamburg in Germany for the first time on 30 May.
The LNG fuel was supplied via an LNG hybrid barge, which functions as a floating power plant and was developed by Becker Marine Systems and AIDA. In the gas processing plant, the cryogenic (-163°C), liquid gas is heated and then passed to the generators, which produce the electric power the ship needs to remain operational while berthed in the port. Power is provided by five gas motors and amounts to 7.5mW.
“With this pilot project for the energy supply of cruise ships using LNG while being berthed in ports, which is thus far unique worldwide, we have opened a new chapter for environmental protection in the port of Hamburg,” said Michael Ungerer, president of AIDA.
Now each of its individual onboard systems have been successfully tested, AIDAsol will be completely powered by energy from the LNG Hybrid Barge when she next calls in Hamburg on 9 June 2015.
Using LNG and electric to power berthed ships will eliminate sulphur oxides and soot particle emissions, while nitrogen oxide emissions will be reduced by up to 80% and carbon dioxide by 30%, compared to traditional marine diesel fuel with 0.1% sulphur content.
AIDAprima, the line’s latest newbuild that is due to debut next spring, will be the first cruise ship with an built-in shore power connection, a comprehensive system for exhaust gas treatment and a dual fuel engine. This can also be operated with LNG, depending on availability. AIDAprima will homeport in Hamburg.