AIDA has picked nine finalists for its Innovation Hub, fostering innovative solutions for the future of the maritime industry. 

Out of over 150 ideas, three finalists were selected for each of the three categories: decarbonization, sustainability and AI and smart solutions.

They will present their concepts to a panel of experts at the AIDA headquarters in Rostock on September 16, 2026, according to a company statement.

The projects will be evaluated based on criteria such as the degree of innovation, feasibility and relevance to the maritime industry.

The winners will have the opportunity to further develop their ideas in collaboration with AIDA Cruises as part of an implementation study or to test them as a pilot project onboard the AIDA fleet.

“We were impressed by the high quality and diversity of the submitted ideas,” said Dirk Inger, senior vice president public affairs, communication & sustainability at AIDA Cruises.

“The nominated projects demonstrate the immense innovative potential in the areas of sustainability, decarbonization, and digital transformation. We look forward to getting to know the concepts personally in September and working with the originators to develop new ideas for the cruise industry of tomorrow.”

Finalists per category:

Decarbonization

• Revincus (Weimar) – Technology for recovering thermal energy from wastewater and reusing it onboard, helping to reduce energy consumption, CO2 emissions and operating costs.
• Hydronauten (Rostock) – QuietHydro technology, which reduces pump vibrations, lowers noise emissions and improves the energy efficiency of pump systems, as well as increases comfort for guests and crew.
• TiTech (Madrid) – Chemical-free titanium surface that prevents the growth of marine organisms on underwater structures, leading to improved energy efficiency and lower emissions.

Sustainability

• Rostock Port – As part of the LA-RoRo II project, the port uses real-time analysis and targeted countersignals to reduce noise emissions and improve comfort for guests, crew and residents.
• The German Aerospace Center (DLR) -“WoodShip – Sustainable Wood Integration in Cruise Ships” project investigates the increased use of wood in selected ship structures as its material properties and carbon storage capacity could lead to long-term emissions reductions.
• Circularity Germany (Hamburg) – Circular economy concept for textiles onboard ships, for recycling work clothes, towels and tablecloths and reintroducing them into operations as new products.

AI & Smart Solutions

• Ariadne – Privacy-compliant technologies for analyzing visitor flows and frequencies, without cameras and without collecting personal data.
• Contagt (Manheim) – A digital indoor navigation system that can be integrated into existing applications in the future, making it easier for guests to navigate the ship.
• Rostock.ai – AI-powered platform developed by Jamil Darwish that connects visitors with current information, local offers, businesses and attractions.

In addition to presentations, the September 16 event will include keynote speeches by Stefanie Berk, an industry expert in the travel and mobility sector, and panel discussion “Innovative Cruising: Smart Visions for a Strong Future.”