By
Rebecca Gibson |
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has started the construction of the first of two new generation vessels for German operator AIDA Cruises – part of the Costa Group – at its Nagasaki Shipyard and Machinery Works.
The yard held a keel-laying ceremony, which was attended by several of the owner's representatives including Costa chairman Pier Luigi Foschi, Costa CEO Michael Thamm, AIDA president Michael Ungerer, MHI chairman Hideaki Omiya and Hisashi Hara, head of shipbuilding and ocean development.
Both the next-generation vessels will feature a range of advanced environmental technologies including the Mitsubishi Air Lubrication System, which allows ships to glide on a carpet of air bubbles, minimising frictional resistance and reducing fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by around seven per cent. They will also have an innovative hull design, developed by MHI and the Hamburg Ship Model Basin to increase energy efficiency.
Accommodating 3,300 passengers and weighing 124,500 gt, the two ships will be the largest vessels built for AIDA Cruises and are scheduled for delivery in March 2015 and 2016 respectively.
“AIDA is convinced of the continued growth of the German cruise market and these measures will give our new generation of ships further impetus,” said Michael Ungerer, president of AIDA Cruises. “Thanks to the technological partnership with MHI, AIDA will open new supply markets in Asia.”
MHI’s Nagasaki Shipyard previously delivered two 116,000 gt ships for Carnival’s Princess Cruises in 2004.