AIDA cruises has performed the symbolic first steel cutting for the world’s first cruise ship that can be run completely on liquid natural gas (LNG).

The cruise line had announced the continuation of the longstanding strategic partnership with the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg in the summer of 2015 and issued the order for two new vessels of the next AIDA generation. The vessels, with a size in excess of 180,000 GT (gross tonnage) and around 2,500 cabins each will strengthen the AIDA fleet in the fall of 2018 and spring 2021 respectively.

With the “Green Cruising” concept, AIDA Cruises will be the first cruise shipping company in the world with the capability to operate its new generation of ships using 100% LNG.

A spokesman for the cruise line, said: “With the start of construction of the first LNG cruise ship in the world, we are not only setting standards for the future in terms of eco-friendliness.”

The new generation of ships combines innovative design with state-of-the-art technology for even more comfort on board.

The first 7-day cruises on the 13th member of the AIDA fleet will take guests to the Canaries from December 2018. AIDA Cruises will announce further details of the new generation of ships over the coming months.