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Shell has been named as an exclusive strategic partner of AIDA Cruises for the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the AIDAprima and its sister ship AIDAperla.

The tie-up coincided with the AIDAprima's first docking at the port of Rotterdam on April 19.

Commenting on the partnership, Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises said: "We believe in LNG as being the cleanest fossil fuel! In Shell, we have a strong global partner who will forge a new path with us in establishing LNG within the maritime industry. With the supply of LNG to AIDAprima when she is docked, we are setting a clear trend in terms of environmental and climate protection."

At all the ports along its route, AIDAprima can be operated with LNG while docked at port. As the exclusive strategic partner of AIDA Cruises, Shell is to supply the vessel with LNG by truck at these locations. Preparations and initial permit procedures for the ports of Hamburg, Southampton, Le Havre, Rotterdam and Zeebrugge are said to be "already well under way".

In comparison with traditional marine distillates containing 0.1 percent sulphur, emissions will be significantly reduced when using LNG. The emission of sulphur oxide and soot particles will be completely removed. Nitrogen oxide emissions will be reduced by up to 80 percent and carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent.

AIDA Cruises expects to begin test operations within the next few weeks.