AIDA Cruises Wins Two Silver ESG Awards in Athens

AIDA Cruises has earned two silver awards at this year’s ESG Shipping Awards in Athens, recognizing the company’s commitment to innovation and social impact. These distinctions affirm AIDA’s position as a leader in maritime sustainability.

The cruise line was awarded Silver in the “Technology Leader” category for its groundbreaking adoption of biofuels. AIDA’s initiative focuses on reducing emissions and transitioning toward carbon-neutral cruise operations by 2050. In 2022, AIDA partnered with scientific and industry experts to trial marine biofuels aboard the AIDAprima — making it the first major cruise ship to run on a biofuel blend. The fuel, according to its producer, can cut greenhouse gas emissions by over 85 percent.

The second Silver Award, in the “Community Leader” category, was awarded to the AIDA Cruise & Help program. Launched in 2019, this philanthropic project aims to improve education for children and young people in developing nations — particularly in areas where AIDA docks and where its crew members originate. So far, the initiative has funded the creation of 80 schools, positively affecting the lives of 12,000 children worldwide.

“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.”

Held annually across ten categories, the ESG Shipping Awards honor maritime companies worldwide for their sustainability efforts and corporate responsibility. Earlier in 2024, AIDA was also awarded Gold for installing the largest battery storage system on a passenger vessel — a 10 MWh unit — on the AIDAprima.

These new accolades further reflect AIDA Cruises’ ongoing leadership in both environmental advancement and meaningful community support throughout the cruise industry.