The Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein, the Federal State capital Kiel, the port of Kiel and the Costa Group signed a Declaration of Intent on the joint promotion of environmentally-friendly cruise tourism in the port of Kiel. The parties seek to further develop a sustainable and future-proof maritime infrastructure, economy and tourism in northern Germany.
As such, representatives met on 26 April, aboard the cruise ship “AIDAluna”, to set out the ways in which they will be stepping up their existing collaboration.
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For the Costa Group’s part, AIDA Cruises will support the Schleswig-Holstein, the Federal State capital Kiel and the port of Kiel with a diverse array of initiatives. The core points of the agreement include the construction of a shoreside power plant by See-Hafen Kiel on the Ostseekai (Baltic Quay), the use of low-emission LNG to operate AIDA Cruises cruise ships while they are stay in port, and the use of modern exhaust gas cleaning systems.
The Federal State intends to financially support the planned construction of the shoreside power plant on the Ostseekai and will be examining grant options.
Daniel Günther, the Minister-President of the Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein, stated:
With this Declaration of Intent we have taken a big step towards making cruise tourism in the north both more future-proof and environmentally-friendlier….We will also continue to advocate at federal level for the prorated exemption of shoreside power plants from the levy imposed under the German Renewable Energies Act.
In 2019 “AIDAprima” will be the first ship to call at the port of Kiel that can be supplied with LNG while in docked in port in the Baltic region. Furthermore, AIDA Cruises will be fitting out two other cruise ships – “AIDAbella” and “AIDAluna” with shoreside power connections. The aim is that trial operations will begin in Kiel already in 2019.
Federal State Secretary of the Environment, Tobias Goldschmidt, commented:
Apart from the previously mentioned financial support for the provision of the necessary infrastructure in the ports and the prorated exemption of shoreside power from the levy imposed under the German Renewable Energies Act, these measures most notably also include a port charges structure that favors low-emission alternatives. We have furthermore already called on the Federal Government to liaise with the EU Commission on uniform environmental standards – such as maximum values for sulfur content in ship fuels (SECA standards) – in the territorial waters of the Member States. In addition, the foreseen designation of the Baltic, North Sea and English Channel as a NOx Emission Control Area (NECA) should be expanded to all EU waters.
The shoreside power connection on the Ostseekai will have a connected load of 12 MW and will be able to supply ships whose onboard power supply has a frequency of 50 Hz and 60 Hz.
A study of the seaport of Kiel with AIDA Cruises as the industry partner will be investigating the direct and indirect effects of the cruise industry. The study is intended to help identify potential and activities for greater local and regional value creation by cruise tourism and maritime service providers.
Kiel’s Mayor Ulf Kämpfer, added:
Ship exhaust is often also mentioned in the debate on air pollutants from diesel vehicles on Kiel’s roads. For cruise ships to be accepted in Kiel it is important that other cruise companies also devote themselves more to the issues of the environment and sustainability. First liquefied natural gas and soon shoreside power on the Ostseekai for AIDA ships – that is exactly the signal we want to send out for the future of the port of Kiel. And it also fits perfectly with the seaport of Kiel’s Blue Port concept that has just been drawn up.