Becker Marine Systems' LNG hybrid barge has been christened 'Hummel' at the Port of Hamburg.
An environmentally friendly alternative for supplying power to cruise ships, the barge was christened at Hamburg's Hafencity on October 19.
Utilising an on board LNG-fuelled power plant, the barge ensures future cruise ships will be supplied with environmentally friendly energy during layovers at port, with LNG producing lower emissions and particulates compared to diesel.
As part of the christening, the first test connection was carried out, with the barge hooked up to the AIDA Cruises cruise ship 'AIDAsol'.
With its homeport in Hamburg, the barge will supply the 'AIDAsol' from the beginning of the next European cruise season in 2015.
The 'Hummel' measures 77 metres in length and 11 metres in width. Constructed in Slovakia, the vessel made a three-week delivery trip up the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers.
Remaining work and testing of the barge then took place at German shipbuilder Blohm + Voss.