By
Rebecca Lambert |
Becker Marine Systems’ LNG hybrid barge was christened by Dr Monika Griefahn, AIDA Cruises’ chief sustainability officer, at Grasbrook Quay in HafenCity, Hamburg on 18 October.
Called Hummel, the LNG hybrid barge will supply AIDA’s vessels with electricity produced from liquefied natural gas while they are berthed in the port of Hamburg.
AIDAsol will be the first ship to be supplied with power from the barge, starting in the spring of 2015. As part of the inaugural event, the plug connection between the LNG hybrid barge and AIDAsol was successfully tested.
“With this pilot project, Becker Marine Systems and AIDA Cruises are together setting an example for environmental and climate protection, not only for the city of Hamburg but also for the entire maritime industry,” said AIDA president Michael Ungerer. “With the LNG hybrid barge, we have again demonstrated that environmental protection and economic interests are not a contradiction for us.”
Thanks to the use of the floating LNG power plant, emissions and particle discharge will be significantly reduced. Nitrogen oxide emissions will be reduced by up to 80% and carbon dioxide emissions by 30%. Plus, compared to the use of conventional marine diesel with 0.1% sulfur content, LNG emits no sulfur oxides or soot particles.
All ships in AIDA’s fleet that were put into service in 2007 or later are already prepared for the use of shore power.