AIDAprima Completes Bio-Bunkering in Partnership with GoodFuel

AIDAprima Completes Bio-Bunkering in Partnership with GoodFuel

GoodFuels partnered with Carnival Corporation's AIDA Cruises and completed the first bio-bunkering on AIDAprima, according to a press release.

The AIDAprima was refuelled with GoodFuels' sustainable biofuels during a port visit to Rotterdam, in the Netherlands as part of a seven-day cruise, visiting Hamburg, Southampton, Le Havre, and Zeebrugge, according to the company. Without requiring any engine or tank modifications, AIDAprima was bunkered with biofuel and continued its itineraries.

"With the successful start of biofuel usage, we have proven that gradual decarbonization is possible even on ships already in service. An important prerequisite for us as a cruise line to be able to use it is that it becomes widely available on an industrial scale and at marketable prices," commented Felix Eichhorn, president, of AIDA Cruises.

The recent bio-bunkering appears to be just the beginning, as AIDA expects additional deliveries and a possible expansion to other Carnival Corporation brands.

 “This first bio-bunkering with AIDA Cruises marks an exciting step forward on the cruise industry’s decarbonisation pathway, demonstrating that our sustainable biofuels are a safe, technically viable and convenient option to drastically cut down emissions from passenger's vessels. As the effects of climate change are felt acutely in several parts of the world, the time for action is now, and biofuels are one of the few options that can already make a difference today. We are delighted to have worked alongside the trail-blazers at AIDA Cruises in the past few months to make this milestone a reality, and we look forward to collaborating again in the future," said Dirk Kronemeijer, chief executive officer, GoodFuels.

Hong Kong Ends Crew Quarantine Curbs For Bunker And Supply Vessels

Ovation of the Seas arrives in Hong Kong in June 2016. Photo: Royal Caribbean International

Hong Kong providers of shipping services are breathing a sigh of relief after authorities announced they would ease strict quarantine restrictions imposed last July on vessels calling at the Asian shipping hub, trade sources said.

From Tuesday, the crew of non-cargo goods vessels visiting Hong Kong for shipping services, including bunkering and provision supplies, will be exempt from the curbs, subject to conditions, the Marine Department told shipping firms in a letter.

“This is a long-overdue relaxation as the trade had already demonstrated to the health authority here in Hong Kong that there is no human contact throughout the process,” Frankie Yick, a transport sector legislator, told Reuters.

Hong Kong’s bunkering industry, which is among the world’s top 10, was hit hard by the strict 14-day quarantine requirement imposed on the crew of vessels calling for reasons other than to load or discharge cargo.

Ship operators opted instead to refuel in neighbouring ports, such as China, Singapore and Taiwan, several industry sources said.

Yick said Hong Kong’s bunkering industry was “seriously affected” by last year’s restrictions, which took volumes down by about 70% from levels before the pandemic.

Before the curbs, Hong Kong had typically supplied about 500,000 tonnes of bunkers each month.

“The trade does hope that business will come back to Hong Kong in due course and for sure it will take a bit of time to go back to the previous level of business,” said Yick, referring to the shipping industry.