Main content
World Ports Conference Hamburg: AIDA President Michael Ungerer takes a stand for the expansion of port infrastructure
Rostock, 04. June 2015
On occasion of this year's World Ports Conference in Hamburg Michael Ungerer, President of AIDA Cruises and Chairman of Cruise Association CLIA, spoke to representatives of the main port cities in the world on June 4th, 2015.
Ungerer talked about the development of the cruise industry in the German market and economic impacts of this increasingly important industry. He focused particularly on the port of Hamburg, which has become one of the leading cruise destinations in Northern Europe. He also presented the opportunities and challenges associated with the growth of the cruise industry.
"The demand for cruises continues. Between 2014 and 2017 the capacity of German cruise lines will grow by 42.9 %. By 2016 we want to reach the 2 million mark in Germany and there may also be a further million guests on top in the upcoming 3 to 4 years," said Ungerer. However, this can only be achieved, if all responsible parties start to think about the necessary requirements today. "The existing infrastructures of the Year 2015 will not be sufficient for this," Ungerer underlines.
Another key issue in the cooperation between cruise companies and ports is the continuous improvement of environmental performance.
"Sustainable management and the consistent protection of the environment are the guarantee for being able to successfully offer cruises in the future," said Ungerer.
Overall, AIDA Cruises will invest around 100 million euros in environmental and climate protection until 2016 and thus bring new technologies like a comprehensive exhaust gas treatment system, onshore power supply and LNG operation on the road. With this pilot project for the energy supply of cruise ships using LNG while being berthed in ports, which is thus far unique worldwide, AIDA Cruises and Becker Marine Systems have opened a new chapter for environmental protection in the port of Hamburg on May 30, 2015.
13. November 2020
AIDA Cruises releases Sustainability Report 2019
In the latest edition of “AIDA Cares”, the company reports further progress on the way to the first emission-neutral ship in 2030. An important milestone was reached with the commissioning of AIDAnova, the world's first LNG cruise ship. The first use of fuel cells and batteries ... [more]
18. October 2020
Successful restart of AIDA Cruises: “Cast off!” for AIDAblu
In Civitavecchia, Italy, on Saturday evening, October 17, 2020, at 11 p.m., the command was “cast off!” for AIDAblu to the first AIDA trip since the seven-month break in the cruise season due to the corona pandemic. Under the motto “Bella Italia”, seven-day cruises to five ... [more]
16. September 2020
AIDA Cruises expands its range of cruises with new autumn holiday voyages in the Mediterranean
Escape the cool autumn air and discover the highlights of Italy in the sunny south – AIDA Cruises has now launched new cruises from Rome and La Spezia starting October 17, 2020, with AIDAblu, thus significantly expanding its cruise range.
The new Italy cruises are offered on a ... [more]