Carnival Looking to Overcome LNG Bunker Challenges for its AidaPrima Vessel in Rotterdam

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Tuesday June 7, 2016

Tom Strang, senior vice president for maritime affairs at Carnival Corporation & plc (Carnival), says the company and its subsidiary, AIDA Cruises, are working to overcome restrictions and regulations in the Port of Rotterdam that are currently preventing its new liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered vessel AidaPrima from receiving or using LNG bunkers there, Passenger Ship Technology reports.

Currently, AidaPrima can use LNG propulsion at all of its ports of call, with the exception of Rotterdam.

"That is a little bit more challenging, mainly because Rotterdam has a different set of regulatory requirements, as the port is right in the centre of the city," explained Strang at a Cruise Lines International Association regulatory briefing recently.

Strang went on to note that, while there are still a number of steps to go through before approval can be received, Carnival has a "great relationship" with the Port of Rotterdam, and expressed optimism that the challenges would soon be overcome. 

As Ship & Bunker reported in May, Becker Marine Systems (Becker Marine) says it plans to bring a LNG powered cold ironing barge to the Port of Rotterdam are "well underway."

Ship & Bunker News Team
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