With the publication of the new expedition voyages for 2020/2021, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has announced that it will only use low-sulfur marine gas oil (MGO) on all routes operated by three expedition ships.
From July, 2020, the ‘HANSEATIC nature’, ‘HANSEATIC inspiration’ and ‘Bremen’ will burn MGO, as will the ‘HANSEATIC spirit’, scheduled to join the fleet in 2021.
“With our long-standing expertise in expedition cruising, we have always set standards in our industry – with our ships, our itineraries and our quality and service standards. In this context, we have always attributed top priority to responsible management of nature and the environment.
“The decision to successively shift to the use of marine gas oil on all routes served by our expedition fleet has therefore been the right decision and an important step forward in order to deliver these goals,” explained Karl Pojer, CEO Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
In particularly vulnerable areas such as the Arctic, Antarctica and Kamchatka, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has been using MGO for a number of years, long before the regulations have taken effect. The low-emission fuel has a sulfur content of only 0.1%.
The new expedition ships are also equipped with SCR systems, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by almost 95%, and shore power connectors.
In addition, the routes are planned and managed on the basis an eco-efficient average speed, reducing fuel consumption by one third. Moreover, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ fleet is fitted with seawater desalination systems to produce clean water and biological sewage treatment systems for wastewater.
Environmentally-acceptable biological lubricants are used for the bow thrusters and stabilisers.
“The vulnerable cruising areas visited by our expedition cruise vessels need particular protection. Strict regulations apply to these regions, and of course we comply with each of these rules. In addition, we have defined stringent requirements we adhere to on our voyages to the most remote regions,” Pojer added.
