AIDA Cruises is looking to help preserve Rostock, Germany's natural environment with every trip it makes to the popular cruise destination.
Carnival Corp's German brand has signed a letter of intent with officials from the city and the state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania to build an on-shore power plant for its incoming passengerships.
"Cruise tourism is of particular significance to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania," state prime minister Manuela Schwesig said.
"I am convinced that this is a good step and it is an important contribution towards making cruise tourism more sustainable."
Aida president Felix Eichhorn said his company is investing billions of euros in a "future-proof cruise market" to power ships through LNG or shoreside power.
"The partnership ... is an important milestone for the further development of sustainable cruise tourism," he said.
The on-shore power is expected to be available by 2020, so Aida ships that call on Rostock will be fit with a shore power connection, Carnival said.
The Nature and Biodiversity Union (NABU) has criticised the industry for running ships on heavy fuel oil, without recognising its long-term plans to lower exhaust emissions.
Miami-based Carnival has ordered 11 LNG-powered ships due by 2025 and has two AIDA vessels afloat that use LNG in port.
