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AIDAprima sets highest standards in emission control

LNG operation in the portsof AIDAprima's Metropolitan routes in preparation

AIDAprima, the new flagship fromGermany's leading cruise line, AIDA Cruises, is setting standards with regardsto environmental and climate protection. No other ship has more moderneco-technology on board. AIDAprima is the world's first cruise ship to featurea dual-fuel engine and can be operated with low-emission liquefied natural gas(LNG) during the time spent docked at port. It also features two shore-sidepower supplies and is the world's first passenger ship with an onboardthree-step system for exhaust aftertreatment. With this so far unprecedentedtechnology for exhaust treatment, soot particles, nitrogen oxides, and sulfuroxides can be reduced by 90 to 99 percent for the first time. As a result,AIDAprima is the first ship worldwide to be equipped with all forms oflow-emission energy generation that are technically available onboard today.Its striking design with a perpendicular bow and optimized hull lines ensuresimproved hydrodynamics. Further new features aimed at reducing propulsionenergy include state-of-the-art pod drives and the innovative MALS technology.Thanks to this, AIDAprima is the first cruise ship to glide on a carpet of airbubbles with very little friction.

AIDACruises is trailblazer in the use of low low-emission LNG

A premiere in the cruise industryis the installation of a dual-fuel engine on AIDAprima. In ports with thenecessary infrastructure, the ship can thus be operated with low-emissionliquid natural gas (LNG) while docked at port.

This is an important step inreducing emissions because the average cruise ship spends 40 percent of itsoperating time in port. In all European ports since 2010, AIDA Cruises has onlybeen using fuel that – in compliance with IMO requirements – has a maximum of0.1 percent sulfur. AIDA has been doing this voluntarily in Hamburg since 2007.By using LNG, emissions will once again be considerably reduced: The emissionof sulfur oxide and soot particles will be completely prevented. Nitrogen oxideemissions will be reduced by up to 80 percent and carbon dioxide emissions by20 percent

In all ports along theMetropolitan route, AIDAprima can be operated with LNG while docked. Thepreparations and initial permit procedures for the ports of Hamburg,Southampton, Le Havre, Rotterdam and Zeebrugge are already well underway. Therequired infrastructure is currently being installed. LNG trucks will ensurethe LNG supply of AIDAprima in port. AIDA Cruises will begin test operations inthe first ports in as early as the coming weeks.

"We believe in LNG as beingthe cleanest fossil fuel!" says Felix Eichhorn, President AIDA Cruises."With AIDAprima, we are the first cruise line in the world to supply aship with low-emission LNG for operation in port, and we are once again provingthat we are pioneers of innovation. I am convinced that our path is also aclear signal to the ports and LNG producers to invest in the necessaryinfrastructure," continues Eichhorn. "With the next generation ofships that will be put into service in 2019/2020, AIDA will go one stepfurther. Under the concept of "Green Cruising" they will be operatedwith 100 percent low-emission LNG.

Comprehensiveexhaust aftertreatment

As the first passenger ship inthe world, AIDAprima features a three-step system for exhaust aftertreatment.The particularly compact design makes it possible for the first time totechnically accommodate all relevant treatment processes. Nitrogen oxides arechemically bound in a catalytic converter, and soot and fuel residues areprecipitated in a filter. The sulfur oxides are removed in a scrubber withoutany chemicals being added. With this filter technology which is unique to date,emissions from soot particles, nitric oxide and sulfur oxide on board AIDAprimawill be reduced by 90 to 99 percent. Carbon monoxide emissions are reduced by70 percent and emissions of unburned hydrocarbons by 85 percent.

Comprehensiveconcept for reducing emissions

AIDA Cruises does not limitenvironmental protection to one particular technology, but regards it as anextensive and holistic issue. In the past few years, a number of technicalinnovations for alternative modes of power generation for ships have beendeveloped. No one can say for sure which system will eventually be the globalleader. AIDA Cruises has invested significant sums so that it will be preparedfor all forms of energy generation that are technically available today.

As the world's first cruise shipAIDAprima runs with any fuel currently available and can thus be operated flexiblyand independently. The dual-fuel engines on AIDAprima can run on alltraditional ship fuels or in port with liquefied natural gas. With thecomprehensive system for exhaust aftertreatment on AIDAprima, emissions can bereduced even more than would be possible with low-sulfur fuel. The use ofliquefied natural gas is currently the most environmentally friendly solutionfor powering a ship. With this holistic approach, emissions are reduced greatlyand independently of the various types of fuel and even remain below thespecified reference values.

Hydrodynamicoptimization

In addition to reducingemissions, increased efficiency is a key factor in ecofriendly ship operation.Compared to AIDAstella, the newest ship of the last AIDA generation, AIDAprimauses around 20 percent less operating power per person on board thanks to variousmeasures. Hydrodynamic optimization of AIDAprima significantly contributes tothis. Through its striking design with a perpendicular bow and optimized hulllines, a significant portion of the propulsion power is saved.

InnovativeMALS technology

AIDAprima is also the firstcruise ship in the world to feature the innovative MALS technology (MALS =Mitsubishi Air Lubrication System). This allows the ship to glide over a carpetof air bubbles with very little friction, which considerably reduces frictionand saves energy used for propulsion. State-of-the-art pod drives alsosignificantly lower fuel consumption. Here, the drive system lies in astreamlined pod and can be rotated around the vertical axis by 360 degrees,which contributes to the ship's excellent maneuverability.

Rostock, April 19,2016

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