• Copenhagen’s New Shore Power Facility: A new shore power plant was inaugurated at Copenhagen’s Oceankaj cruise terminal on June 2, 2025, with AIDAnova being the first cruise ship to utilize it, enabling ships to switch off engines in port.
• AIDA Cruises’ Commitment to Shore Power: AIDA Cruises played a key role as a pilot partner and now uses shore power in 14 European ports, with plans for over 500 shore power connections in 2025, significantly increasing its usage.
• Collaborative Green Transition Efforts: The project underscores a strong partnership between AIDA Cruises, Copenhagen Malmö Port, and Danish authorities, aligning with EU goals for sustainable port infrastructure by 2030.
• Broader Sustainability Strategies: The shore power initiative is part of wider environmental goals for both Copenhagen Malmö Port (aiming for net-zero terminal emissions by 2025) and AIDA Cruises/Carnival Corporation (targeting net-zero ship operations by 2050 through various alternative energy investments).

On June 2, 2025, Copenhagen marked a significant step towards maritime sustainability with the inauguration of its new shore power plant at the Oceankaj cruise terminal. The event, graced by H.M. King Frederik X of Denmark, saw AIDA Cruises’ AIDAnova become the first cruise ship to connect to the shore-side electricity grid during its port stay. This milestone makes Copenhagen the 14th European port where AIDA ships can utilize shore power, highlighting the city’s strategic importance for the cruise line, which has 73 calls scheduled there by five ships in 2025.

Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises, emphasized the inauguration as a vital move for the maritime energy transition in Northern Europe, reflecting a shared commitment to reducing environmental impact. He reiterated AIDA’s support for the European Union’s objective to establish shore-side power infrastructure in all major EU ports by 2030. Similarly, Barbara Scheel Agersnap, CEO of Copenhagen Malmö Port, celebrated the facility as a key achievement in the port’s green transition, aligning with their ambition for fossil-free terminal operations and net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2025.

AIDA Cruises was deeply involved as a pilot partner in the technical preparations, contributing its extensive experience from other European ports. The company has significantly increased its use of shore power, with 360 connections in 2024 and over 500 planned for 2025. This progress means AIDA ships will be able to switch off their main engines and use shore power for nearly half of their port calls in Northern Europe. Beyond shore power, AIDA Cruises, as part of Carnival Corporation & plc, is investing in alternative energy sources like batteries and biofuels, striving for net-zero emissions in ship operations by 2050.

About AIDA Cruises

AIDA Cruises, the market leader for cruises in Germany, is part of Carnival Corporation & plc, a tourism company with eight of the world’s leading cruise lines. AIDA Cruises itself is the third largest German tour operator, the best-known cruise brand and one of the most successful tourism companies in Germany.

The company employs 18,000 people from 60 countries. With around 1,200 employees at its headquarters in Rostock, the cruise line is the largest private employer in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. A further 400 employees work at the Hamburg site. The fleet of currently eleven ships is one of the most innovative cruise fleets in the world.