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On 19th October, the AIDAsol [pictured] docked for the last time in 2016 at the HafenCity cruise terminal in Hamburg as the cruise season comes to an end.

The AIDAsol has docked a total of 16 times this year at the Grosser Grasbrook complex. While it was anchored at HafenCity, AIDAsol was supplied with low-emission power by the Hummel LNG Hybrid barge.

Developed by Becker Marine Systems, the Hummel operates four large diesel engines to supply power to calling vessels. During ship layovers, it can be hooked up to the onboard power supply and provide complete power to a vessel, allowing the ship to turn off its own engines and thus reduce emissions.

This year, following the AIDAsol's commissioning on 30th May 2015, Becker Marine Systems' floating liquefied gas power plant supplied the ship with environmentally friendly electricity throughout an entire season for the first time.

"The second year of the LNG hybrid barge's operations was also successful and comprehensive," said Dirk Lehmann, managing director of Becker Marine Systems. "With AIDAsol docking a total of 16 times, the barge supplied more than 380 megawatts (MW) of electricity, thus making a valuable contribution to improving air quality. Thanks to the good working relationship with the AIDA Cruises team, the environmentally friendly LNG hybrid barge has thus established itself as a modern and up-to-the-minute technology in the port of Hamburg."

The use of liquefied natural gas for supplying power to ships significantly reduces emissions and particulates. Compared to the use of conventional marine diesel with 0.1 percent sulphur content, no sulphur oxides and no soot particles are emitted. Nitrogen oxide emissions are reduced by up to 80 percent and carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent.

"We believe in LNG as being the cleanest fossil fuel. The LNG Hybrid barge allows ships fitted with a land power connection to be supplied with electricity from LNG. We are proud to have successfully concluded this pilot project with Becker Marine Systems and AIDAsol. This is an important contribution towards reduced emissions at the port," remarked Dr. Monika Griefahn, Chief Sustainability Officer at AIDA Cruises.

Canary Islands

The AIDAsol is now on its way to the Canary Islands. The journey to the islands will take in Dover, Le Havre, Ferrol, Lisbon, Funchal and Arrecife before arriving at Las Palmas in Gran Canaria. From there, the AIDAsol will be going on 7-day cruises every Sunday starting from 30th October, visiting the Canary Islands and Madeira.

On 21st April 2017, the AIDAsol is due to return to Hamburg; it is scheduled to call at the German port 16 times next year. Up until 15th May 2017, Hamburg will be the departure port for short 4-day cruises to the Netherlands (IJmuiden) and UK (Dover). Afterwards, on 20th August 2017, 10-day cruises to the Norwegian fjords are on the itinerary up until the end of the season.