Five more years for AIDAluna at “preferred” yard

The 69,203gt, 13-deck Sphinx Class ship – which entered service in 2009 – spent nearly two weeks at the yard, now part of the Lürssen Group. Carnival Group member AIDA Cruises said that as well as work on public areas and cabin modernisation, due class and maintenance work was carried out including the creation of technical preconditions for onshore power supply.

Modifications to chain lockers were made and scheduled stabiliser as well as bow and stern thruster maintenance w as carried out. Propeller removal was required to facilitate the replacement of chrome steel liners and the rudder stock was lowered along with the mounted rudder to allow work on the steering gear.

Noting that AIDAluna’s classification had been renewed for five more years, AIDA spokeswoman Uta Thiele told The Motorship that the ship’s 3-phase synchron1DM5650-8DSO6-Z Siemens drive motors had been inspected and modernised .

But she said no overhaul was carried out this time on AIDAluna’s four diesel-electric Caterpillar MaK 9M43C main engines.

AIDAluna was last at Blohm + Voss in 2014 for maintenance which included the installation of the initial components of a scrubber system developed within the Carnival Group, of which Germany-based AIDA Cruises is a part.

Also in 2014 Blohm + Voss signed a multi-million Favoured Customer Agreement with Carnival covering scheduled dockings in Hamburg and voyage and yard repairs. It also made the German yard the preferred supplier of all Carnival repair and maintenance services in Europe.

Carnival said at the time the yard had “proven itself as a partner for complex refittings and modernisations”. AIDA echoed the praise during the AIDAluna visit noting yard help in the replacement of exhaust gas pipes and extensive logistical support.