AIDA Cruises has taken delivery of the first of two large cruise ships that features Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI)’s Air Lubrication System (MALS) to enhance fuel efficiency.
The AIDAprima is a next generation cruise ship that not only features technologies to reduce the consumption of fuel but also saves energy, increases automation and reduces the required man power.
Utilising MALS, energy and CO2 emissions are greatly reduced. MALs covers the bottom of the ship’s hull with a drag-reducing carpet using a blower to generate bubbles. Therefore, the system greatly reduces frictional resistance between the ship hull and the seawater.
Furthermore, the ship makes use of a pod propulsion system2, liquefied natural gas (LNG), the latest gas emissions treatment system, and a new air conditioning system that uses waste heat to power itself, enabling the AIDAprima to significantly minimise energy consumption and lower emissions.
Through the use of LNG, the ship will automatically reduce its emissions of harmful pollutants that are present in heavy fuel oils, such as sulphur and nitrogen oxides. Furthermore, the ship is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies to enhance onboard safety for customer security.
Although construction was challenging, the knowledge gained through building this ship will be leveraged to assist with construction of AIDAprima’s sister ship, which is due to begin shortly.
AIDAprima was built at MHI’s Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works, Japan, and delivered by MHI. A ceremony took place with the ship setting sail from the shipyard to Hamburg, Germany. The AIDAprima is scheduled to commence its first regular cruise from Hamburg on April 30, with its official public presentation taking place on May 7 as part of the 827th Hamburg Port Anniversary celebrations.
