Main content
World Ports Conference Hamburg: AIDA President Michael Ungerer takes a stand for the expansion of port infrastructure
Rostock, 04. June 2015
On occasion of this year's World Ports Conference in Hamburg Michael Ungerer, President of AIDA Cruises and Chairman of Cruise Association CLIA, spoke to representatives of the main port cities in the world on June 4th, 2015.
Ungerer talked about the development of the cruise industry in the German market and economic impacts of this increasingly important industry. He focused particularly on the port of Hamburg, which has become one of the leading cruise destinations in Northern Europe. He also presented the opportunities and challenges associated with the growth of the cruise industry.
"The demand for cruises continues. Between 2014 and 2017 the capacity of German cruise lines will grow by 42.9 %. By 2016 we want to reach the 2 million mark in Germany and there may also be a further million guests on top in the upcoming 3 to 4 years," said Ungerer. However, this can only be achieved, if all responsible parties start to think about the necessary requirements today. "The existing infrastructures of the Year 2015 will not be sufficient for this," Ungerer underlines.
Another key issue in the cooperation between cruise companies and ports is the continuous improvement of environmental performance.
"Sustainable management and the consistent protection of the environment are the guarantee for being able to successfully offer cruises in the future," said Ungerer.
Overall, AIDA Cruises will invest around 100 million euros in environmental and climate protection until 2016 and thus bring new technologies like a comprehensive exhaust gas treatment system, onshore power supply and LNG operation on the road. With this pilot project for the energy supply of cruise ships using LNG while being berthed in ports, which is thus far unique worldwide, AIDA Cruises and Becker Marine Systems have opened a new chapter for environmental protection in the port of Hamburg on May 30, 2015.
29. February 2016
AIDA Cruises: Christening of the new flagship AIDAprima on May 7, 2016 as the highlight of HAMBURG PORT ANNIVERSARY
AIDAprima, the 11th ship in the AIDA fleet, will be christened in Hamburg (Germany) on May 7, 2016 as the glorious climax of the 827th HAMBURG PORT ANNIVERSARY. Already from April 30, 2016, Hamburg will be the home port for AIDAprima’s seven-day round trips to Western Europe's ... [more]
18. February 2016
“Best of Northern Europe” with AIDAaura
In response to huge demand, for the summer 2016 season cruise company AIDA Cruises has added further sensational routes to its most popular destinations in Northern Europe. In summer AIDAaura will be setting sail for the most beautiful destinations in the Baltic, Norway, Iceland ... [more]
17. February 2016
Countdown for AIDAprima – video blog records final shipyard work
AIDAprima, the new flagship of the cruise company AIDA Cruises, is just about ready. Inside too, AIDAprima is steadily taking shape: all passenger staterooms are in place, the saunas in the spa area are fully fitted out, and the furnishing of the 18 bars and twelve restaurants ... [more]