Karl J. Pojer, ceo of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, placed a coin inside the steel block.
Hanseatic nature‘s keel consists of two steel blocks, each 9mtr long, 11mtr wide, 1.5mtr high and weighing 33 tons.
'It is a great pleasure to watch the development of our first expedition newbuild. In the shipyard, as well as in the Hamburg office, many experts in their specialist field, are working daily on completing the two vessels,' Pojer said.
The naming and maiden voyage of Hanseatic nature are planned for April 2019.
The second ship, Hanseatic inspiration, which will serve the international markets, is due to launch six months later, in October 2019.
The first sales brochure will be out in January 2018.
The ships’ hulls will be constructed in Tulcea and afterwards towed to VARD Langsten in Norway, where the outfitting and the finishing of the interior will take place.
Both newbuilds will be rated PC6, the highest ice class for passenger ships. Each will accommodate up to 230 passengers (or up to 199 on Antarctica cruises).
Sixteen Zodiacs and E-Zodiacs with eco-friendly electric drive systems allow for landings in remote expedition areas.
