Sustainability is a component part of AIDA’s philosophy - right from the outset. We have published our annual transparent and freely-accessible sustainability report, AIDA Cares, every year since 2007. Our environmental officers were the first onboard a cruise ship. We were pioneers in the introduction of sustainable land excursions by offering activities such as bicycle tours. This is a matter of course today. Innovations create standards.
We have continued to set new milestones on the topic of sustainability since the publication of the last sustainability report 2016. A pioneering premiere was the installation of LNG propulsion on AIDAprima. The ship has been the first in the world since last year to be supplied with LNG during its time in the ports of Hamburg, Southampton, Le Havre, Rotterdam and Zeebrugge. Furthermore, AIDAprima is equipped with a comprehensive system for treatment of emissions. An additional innovation is the azipod drive, the MALS technology allowing the ship to glide on a layer of air bubbles which reduce friction, or the tunnel washer that consumes only 2.5 liters of water per kilogram of laundry. The introduction of separate disposal of PET bottles and aluminum for recycling is a significant contribution to the conservation of resources.
In 2016 AIDAsol made use of the LNG Hybrid Barge 16 times. It offered low emission energy supply during layover times in the port of HafenCity Hamburg. The first shore-based electricity facility in Europe was inaugurated in Hamburg Altona on 3 June 2016. AIDA Cruises supports the pilot project in the port of Hamburg as AIDAsol is the first ship to make use of this technology.
In 2016, we developed a new range of holidays for our guests in the form of AIDA Selections. This range is characterized by exceptional routes to new regions or exclusive ports. Holidaymakers on board AIDAcara, AIDAvita and AIDAaura will have the opportunity to undertake long and leisurely land excursions to discover fascinating natural spectacles, landscapes and cultures from a completely new perspective. They will also be able to enjoy an individually crafted program of entertainment and carefully selected culinary specialties.
We offer our guests the chance to compensate for the CO2 emissions of their cruise in a cooperation set up with the climate protection organization atmosfair e.V. Last year the offer was extended to include the possibility of compensating for the inbound and outbound flights. The AIDA motto of continuity also includes social commitment. As a result, in 2016 we reaffirmed our partnership with SOS Kinderdorf e.V. which has been in existence for eleven years. In 2017, AIDA Cruises began to support the ‘Africa Mercy’, operated by the NGO Mercy Ships, which is the largest hospital ship in the world and offers free treatment and dental care for patients in the greatest need in Africa. As of July 2017, an AIDA engineer has voluntarily been assisting the crew of Mercy Ships in West Africa. 2016 saw the launch of the I LOVE TO SEE YOU SMILE campaign under the patronage of Felix Eichhorn. The aim of our new service and quality initiative is to embolden all of our employees, help them to exceed our guests’ expectations and enable them to feel at home and valuable in their working environment. The dedication of our employee’s is recognized through the Smiling Star Award.
No matter whether the subject is modern technology or changes to what we offer: if it proves successful in testing it is as a rule accepted. This leads to innovations driving new standards which are then incorporated in our operational procedures. Subjects pursued today successfully dealing with aspects of sustainability are the milestones of tomorrow and as such recorded in our continuity logbook of AIDA cares.
