KfW IPEX-Bank and Commerzbank are to finance the third Hapag-Lloyd Cruises expedition ship.
The Hamburg-based subsidiary of TUI Group had already contracted VARD shipyard in 2016 to build the sister vessels ‘HANSEATIC nature’ and ‘HANSEATIC inspiration’, which are scheduled to be delivered in 2019. Delivery of the third vessel – ‘HANSEATIC spirit’ – is planned for 2021.
As with the two previous orders, KfW IPEX-Bank and Commerzbank structured the entire financing and are both acting as mandated lead arranger.
“This closing again underscores our structuring competence when it comes to tailored financings in the cruise segment,” said Andreas Ufer, member of the Management Board of KfW IPEX-Bank. “We are pleased to – together with Commerzbank – continue our successful business partnership with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and, with our financing, to support one of the key German players in global competition in the booming cruise sector.”
As the expedition ship will be equipped with the highest Ice Class for passenger ships (PC6), she will be operating primarily in the Polar regions of the Arctic and the Antarctic, although she will also be cruising in warmer destinations, such as the Amazon region.
With a length of 139 m, the new vessel will be able to accommodate up to 230 passengers (199 for Antarctic and Spitzbergen expeditions) and 175 crew members. She will be fitted with a high percentage of balcony cabins, three onboard restaurants and a number of technical innovations and new features for the cruise market.
For example, she will have not only have an accessible prow and a marina for water sports at the stern, but also two movable glass balconies that extend up from the body of the ship and offer an unobstructed view higher up.
On board electrically powered Zodiacs will be available for low-emission excursions in expedition areas without ports or landing stages.
