Shore Power Anywhere

Several months ago we told you about Carnival’s AIDA unit partnering with Becker Marine to develop a barge that could power ships by use of LNG (liquified natural gas).

That project became reality on Saturday when Becker’s LNG barge The Bumblebee powered AIDAsol during its time in port at Hamburg.

The complete story appeared in the June 1 edition of Cruise News Daily.

The LNG barge Bumblebee (foreground) supplying power to AIDAsol

Photo courtesy of AIDA. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.

Cruise News Daily Headlines for October 20, 2014

* Carnival Magic Returns Ebola-free
Carnival Magic returned to Galveston on Sunday without any of the drama that had met it at its previous two port calls. The lab technician aboard who was under quarantine due to the possibility that she had been infected with ebola was pronounced free of the disease, and she reportedly was escorted off the ship as soon as it arrived, and was allowed to drive home without restrictions.

* AIDA’s Newest Ship Is a Gas
There was a different kind of christening ceremony in Hamburg on Saturday. While it had all the trappings of naming a cruise ship, complete with a cruise line executive serving as the godmother, it wasn’t a cruise ship being named, but rather a barge. Not just any barge, it is a special barge.
   AIDA’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Dr. Monika Griefahn was christening, Hummel, the world’s first LNG (liquefied natural gas) hybrid barge, designed to supply berthed cruise ships with electrical power.

* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about Bermuda being back in business ... and a delayed delivery.

The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.

AIDA Christens Kimmel

On Saturday in Hamburg, AIDA’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Dr. Monika Griefahn christened Hummel, the world’s first LNG (liquefied natural gas) hybrid barge, designed to supply berthed cruise ships with electrical power.

When it’s fully operational next spring, Hummel will be providing a sort of shore power, first to AIDAsol, when its docked in Hamburg. It will produce electricity from the LNG, and supply the cruise ship with power so it can shut down its engines while in port and not burn fuel which would put pollutants into the air. Providing power this way is cleaner than from shore power produced by the power plant burning coal or oil. Hummel is a joint project between AIDA and Becker Marine Systems.

Hummel at Hamburg with AIDAsol

Hummel arriving at Hamburg

As part of the inaugural event, Dr Griefahn helped plug in the connection between Hummel and AIDAsol.

Photos courtesy of Becker Marine Systems and AIDA Cruises. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.

Video of AIDAsol Christening

AIDA's eighth ship, AIDAsol, was christened in Kiel on Saturday night (April 9, 2011). Prior to the actual naming, AIDA sponsored a free concert with some of Germany's most popular entertainers, which was attended by some 45,000 people. The highlight of the evening, was, of course when the ship was named by godmother Bettina Zwickler, followed by a massive fireworks display over the harbor. Immediately following the ceremony, AIDAsol departed on her maiden voyage.

AIDA Innovates with AIDAsol

Most of our readers will probably never sail aboard Carnival's AIDA brand, since it markets exclusively to German-speaking customers. Their ships seem to be extremely innovative, and the line keeps coming up with cool features that we don't really see imitated by US brands.

The line's eighth ship, AIDAsol, is currently under construction at Meyer Werft, and the line is just beginning to release details of the ship's features.


The complete article appeared in the October 7, 2010, edition of Cruise News Daily.