AIDA Cruises has been recognized with two silver honors at this year’s ESG Shipping Awards in Athens. The awards celebrate the company’s technological innovation and social responsibility, cementing its standing as a sustainability front-runner in the maritime sector.
In the “Technology Leader” category, AIDA Cruises received the Silver Award for its pioneering use of biofuels in cruise operations. This achievement highlights the company’s long-term strategy to develop low-emission propulsion solutions and move toward net-zero ship operations by 2050. In partnership with science and industry experts, AIDA began testing marine biofuels on its ship AIDAprima in 2022 — making it the first large-scale cruise vessel powered by a marine biofuel blend. According to the fuel manufacturer, this new generation of biofuels can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 85 percent.
The second Silver Award, under the “Community Leader” category, was granted to AIDA Cruise & Help, a charitable initiative launched in 2019. The program focuses on expanding educational opportunities for children and young people in developing and emerging countries, particularly in AIDA's port communities and the home countries of its crew members. To date, the initiative has funded the construction of 80 schools, directly benefiting 12,000 children around the globe.
“We are very proud to have received these awards, which recognize our social commitment and technological innovations,” said Dirk Inger, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Communication & Sustainability at AIDA Cruises. “It shows that our efforts are recognized and appreciated.”
The ESG Shipping Awards are presented annually in ten categories and honor global maritime companies for their dedication to sustainability, innovation, and responsible corporate practices. In 2024, AIDA had previously earned a Gold Award for installing the largest battery storage system in passenger shipping — a 10-megawatt-hour unit — aboard AIDAprima.
These latest honors underline AIDA Cruises’ continued leadership in driving both environmental progress and community engagement within the global cruise industry.
