The first of 3 identical new expedition class ships ordered by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has set off on its maiden voyage. The vessel, Hanseatic Nature, can carry up to 230 passengers, or 199 on Antarctic cruises and circumnavigations of Spitsbergen.
A second ship – Hanseatic inspiration – will enter service in October with cruises conducted in both German and English. The third in the class, Hanseatic Spirit, is due for delivery in May 2021.
The ship’s first sailing from Hamburg takes in the Hebrides, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands, finishing in Bergen. Hanseatic Nature will then visit the Arctic over the summer.
The new expedition class is being financed by investment from the German line’s parent company Tui Group.
The new ships will be fitted with a catalytic converter, which reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by almost 95%.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises uses low-pollutant marine gas oil on around 70% of its expedition cruises. Marine gas oil will be used on all routes for the entire expedition fleet from July 2020.
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