Premiere in Barcelona: AIDAnova is first ever ship to be supplied with low-emission liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the Mediterranean

On April 26, 2019, AIDA Cruises and numerous representatives from politics, port-related businesses and tourism celebrated the first-time arrival of the world’s first LNG cruise ship in Barcelona.
On the same day AIDAnova was fueled for the first time in the Mediterranean with the lowest-emission fuel currently available to shipping industry, in Europe’s biggest cruise port. As of now, alongside Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona has become not only the second start and end destination for AIDAnova’s seven-day cruises in the Mediterranean: Thanks to a partnership with Shell, the cruise ship will also be regularly supplied with liquefied natural gas (LNG) at the Spanish metropolis.

With four dual-fuel engines and three gas tanks on board, AIDAnova is the first cruise ship in the world that, since it was commissioned on December 12, 2018, will be operated both in port and at sea with low-emission liquefied natural gas. Emissions of particulate matter and sulfur oxides are eliminated almost completely, while nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide emissions are sustainably reduced. Two of the tanks each have a length of around 35 meters, a diameter of 8 meters, and a capacity of 1,550 cubic meters. A third, smaller tank with a diameter of 5 meters, is 28 meters long and has a capacity of approx. 520 cubic meters.

It has already been over ten years since AIDA Cruises started investing in LNG propulsion technology. Two further ships of this new AIDA generation will join the AIDA fleet in 2021 and 2023.

Highlights on board this ship belonging to an entirely new AIDA generation include new culinary and entertainment offerings such as the Time Machine Restaurant, a street food mile with tasty treats, or the first floating TV studio. Naturally, guests will find the ever popular Theatrium, the activity area Four Elements with a ropes course and waterslides, and the Beach Club for relaxing on board on AIDAnova as well. Also on board: an approx. 3,500-sqm-large wellness area, an outdoor fitness studio, a penthouse suite with two decks, individual staterooms, 17 restaurants and 23 bars.

Until the beginning of November 2019 AIDAnova will be sailing seven-day cruises, calling at some of the Germans’ most popular travel destinations in the Mediterranean – Civitavecchia (Rome), La Spezia (Florence), Marseille and Barcelona.

All of AIDAnova’s current cruises can be booked at travel agencies, by calling the AIDA Customer Center at +49 (0)381/202 707 07 or at www.aida.de.

About AIDA Cruises:

AIDA Cruises is one of the fastest growing and most successful tourism businesses in Germany. The company employs about 12,500 people from more than 50 countries on land and on board AIDA ships. AIDA Cruises operates one of the world’s most state-of-the-art fleets, comprised of 13 cruise ships.
Two new LNG cruise ships built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg (Germany) will join the fleet by 2023. More information at www.aida.de

Technical data AIDAnova:

Shipyard:  Meyer Werft, Papenburg (Germany)
Keel laying:   September 4, 2017
Commissioning:  December 12, 2018
Length:  337 meters
Width:   42 meters
Max. draft:  8.80 m
Gross tonnage:  183,900 GT
Decks:   20
Number of staterooms: 2,626 (21 different stateroom varieties)
Restaurants:  17
Bars:   23
Crew:  approx.  1,500

Note for journalists:

Click on the following link to see a photo gallery of the most beautiful pictures of AIDAnova: costagroup.thruinc.net/Desktop/Distro/Open/SHORE-019M9IWB484