Hapag-Lloyd Cruises achieves milestone with biofuel bunkering, shore power testing

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises recently said its luxury expedition cruise vessel HANSEATIC spirit arrived in Hamburg with biofuel for a successful testing of shore power connection. 

For the first time, HANSEATIC spirit has bunkered 100% biofuel from waste materials in Amsterdam, which reduces CO₂ emissions by at least 80%. 

“Together with the successful test of the shore power connection in Hamburg, the expedition ship is thus sending a strong signal for the decarbonisation of the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises fleet,” the firm said in a social media post. 

Since 2020, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ new expedition class has been using marine gas oil 0.1 per cent, a particularly low-sulphur fuel, entirely on its own. 

Back in 2022, sister ship HANSEATIC inspiration successfully tested a blend of 30% biofuel and marine gas oil. This certified biofuel, obtained from edible oil residues, reduced CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared to fossil fuels and contains hardly any sulphur oxides. 

In Amsterdam, HANSEATIC spirit has now completely switched to an environmentally friendly second-generation biofuel produced from residues and waste materials for the first time. 

“Upon their arrival at the Hamburg Cruise Center Altona, the shore power connection was also successfully tested, confirming the commitment of the leading provider of luxury and expedition cruises in German-speaking countries to climate protection and emission reduction,” Hapag-Lloyd Cruises added. 

Photo credit: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Published: 18 October 2024