AIDA evaluates wood integration for cruise ships

Cruise line AIDA is evaluating a pilot project to integrate wood into its passenger ships to improve sustainability and reduce weight. The initiative, titled ‘WoodShip – Sustainable Wood Integration in Cruise Ships’, was developed by researchers from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) Institute of Vehicle Concepts in Stuttgart.

Rather than constructing entire wooden vessels, the project focuses on the strategic use of wood in specific areas such as privacy screens, cladding, balcony fittings, support structures, and lightweight construction elements. Using wood instead of steel offers significant advantages, as it is lighter—which is critical for upper decks—and acts as a renewable resource that stores carbon, thereby improving the overall CO2 balance of the fleet.