HANSEATIC inspiration steel cut: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises celebrates the start of the construction of its second, new-build expedition ship

• The steel for the second new ship was cut on 5 October 2017
• HANSEATIC inspiration to be launched in October 2019
• New build underlines TUI Group’s growth strategy in the cruise sector

The steel cutting ceremony on 5 October 2017 marked the start of the construction of HANSEATIC inspiration, the second, new-build expedition ship from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, one of the leading cruise providers in the luxury and expedition segment. Karl J. Pojer, CEO of the cruise line, gave the official signal for the construction process to begin in the VARD shipyard in Tulcea/Romania. The expedition ships, both planned to launch in 2019, are an investment by the TUI Group on behalf of its Hamburg-based subsidiary. In terms of its growth strategy, the world’s largest tourism group is focusing increasingly on the development of its own hotels and cruise ships. With its two, new expedition ships, HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC inspiration, it is further expanding its fleet and developing its pioneering role in the expedition segment.

As part of the official ceremony in Tulcea, Tudorel Topa, Senior Vice President and Yard Director General Department VARD, presented the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ management team with a symbolic steel silhouette of the HANSEATIC inspiration.

Karl J. Pojer, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: “The demand for expedition cruising is three times higher than supply and so with our two new builds we shall be ideally prepared for the future and also satisfy the international marketplace. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is growing, which underlines the TUI Group’s strategy in the cruise segment. The HANSEATIC inspiration will be marketed to an English-speaking audience.”

The contract for the two expedition ships, which will be positioned in the five-star expedition segment, was awarded to the Norwegian VARD Group, a subsidiary of the Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri. The ship’s hull will be built in Tulcea/Romania, before being transported to the VARD Langsten shipyard in Norway for the interior fitting. HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC inspiration - identical in design - will be fitted with cutting-edge equipment and environmental technology and will be able to accommodate up to 230 guests – and up to 199 guests on Antarctic cruises. They will also have the highest ice class for passenger ships – PC6 – so they will be used in the polar regions (the Arctic and Antarctic) as well as in warmer destinations such as the Amazon and the South Seas. The on-board Zodiacs, some of which will have eco-friendly electric drive systems, will make it possible to land in expedition areas that do not have ports and there will be a marina for water sports.

Hamburg, October 2017