Cruise ship steps up carbon reductions with 100% marine biofuel

GoodFuels loaded the AIDAprima with 140 tons of 100 percent marine biofuel during its port call to Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Dec. 8. (Photo: GoodFuels)

GoodFuels announced Dec. 9 that it has successfully delivered 140 metric tons of 100 percent marine biofuel to AIDAprima, enhancing its partnership with Carnival Corp.’s AIDA Cruises brand.

The Hyperion-class cruise ship was refueled with GoodFuels’ sustainable biofuels during its Dec. 8 port call to Rotterdam, the Netherlands. This first bunkering of 100 percent biofuels for AIDAprima marks another important step forward to achieving sustainability and decarbonization in the cruise industry.

GoodFuels’ next-generation sustainable biofuel is derived from feedstocks that are certified as 100 percent waste or residue, including processed used cooking oil, tallow, and animal waste fats. It enables a well-to-exhaust CO2 reduction of 80 percent to 90 percent when compared to fossil fuels. Thanks to its drop in properties, AIDAprima was bunkered with biofuel without requiring any modifications to the engine or tanks.

The vessel was refueled with a 100 percent biofuel product, without blending with conventional marine fuels, proving the viability and technical applicability of sustainable marine biofuel for all types of vessels.

The successful delivery of GoodFuels’ 100 percent marine biofuel builds on the partnership kicked off between the two companies in July, when AIDAprima was bunkered with a blend of biofuel and conventional marine fuels. This new step demonstrates AIDA Cruises’ continued commitment to investing in low-carbon emissions technologies as part of the company’s decarbonization strategy.

“This bio-bunkering with AIDA Cruises comes as yet another big step forward on the cruise sector’s decarbonization pathway,” said Dirk Kronemeijer, CEO of GoodFuels. “It builds on the collaboration and partnership we are enjoying with AIDA Cruises and the wider Carnival group, and once again proves that our sustainable biofuels are an immediately available sustainability solution for a range of segments in the global fleet. The team at GoodFuels is focused on delivering immediate impact, and we are pleased to be able to continue to work with the pioneers at AIDA Cruises to see 100 percent biofuel used in operations to help deliver more sustainable voyages.”