Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has announced a new environmental measure to cut sulphur emissions by as much as 80 per cent.

From July 2020 onwards all ships in the fleet will ditch heavy fuel oil and instead use a low-pollutant marine alternative. The move will also reduce soot and particulates by up to 30 per cent, according to the line.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises CEO Karl J. Pojer said: “With our years of expertise in the luxury and expedition segment, we set the highest standards in the industry with our ships and are committed to adhering to strict environmental protection standards.

“Already we have made significant progress in this context and never stop working to improve even further. These efforts have taken us far beyond the minimum statutory requirements. The decision not to use heavy fuel oil is a significant step towards operating environmentally conscious cruises and an important investment in our future.

“I believe that travel is immensely valuable and an important means of developing an understanding of the world. Cruising with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises means understanding nature better, coming face-to-face with it and even feeling a sense of humility before it.”

In addition, all new Hapag-Lloyd ships – including the Europa 2 and the new expedition class – have been fitted with selective catalytic reduction catalytic converters that clean exhaust gases and lower nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 95 per cent.

Hapag-Lloyd’s newest addition to the fleet, Hanseatic Inspiration, will be christened in the port of Hamburg on 11 October 2019.

The first expedition-class ship, Hanseatic Nature, set sail on its inaugural cruise this year. Meanwhile, the details for the third ship, Hanseatic Spirit, were recently announced.