The EUROPA 2 has had its cold ironing connection certified by the classification society DNV GL. This certification is the result of testing its undisrupted use and compatibility of cold ironing. This is the first time a cruise ship has been using cold ironing for a long period of time. The compatibility of the cold ironing connection at the Cruise Center in Altona was adjusted by HPA, as the small EUROPA 2 requires a lower voltage than the other cruise ships that are using cold ironing there. The settings can be easily duplicated any time the luxury ship makes a stop at the port in future. The EUROPA 2 has been successfully using cold ironing at the Cruise Center Altona in Hamburg for the past 30 days and was able to save a total of 600 tons of carbon dioxide. All new ships in the fleet are equipped for cold ironing.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ luxury ship the EUROPA 2, with a maximum of 500 passengers requires 2.2 megawatts of power per hour during its lay time. This reduces the ship’s emissions to practically zero. The electricity used is being supplied by Hamburg Energie and comes from 100% renewable resources, which means that the operation of the EUROPA 2 in the port is practically climate-neutral.
“We are glad that we have been able to make such valuable use of this forced break by driving forward cold ironing and the certification of the EUROPA 2. The fact that a cruise ship has used cold ironing over a long period of time in Hamburg is an important and unprecedented experience,” says Karl J. Pojer, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. He continues: “Successful use of cold ironing is another important part of our environmental strategy. We use marine gas oil with a low 0.1% sulphur content in the whole fleet, all over the world, thereby going beyond the legal requirements.”
By using the low-pollutant fuel marine gas oil with a sulphur content of 0.1% (low-sulphur marine gas oil), the sulphur emissions of the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises fleet will be cut by 80%. The switch to marine gas oil also means a reduction in soot and particulates of up to 30%. Furthermore, all routes are carefully planned with an environmentally efficient average speed not pushing the vessels to go as fast as possible, reduces consumption by 30% and also lowers the emissions.
In the German-speaking area, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is known to be the leading cruise brand in the luxury and expedition sector. Small, individual, and outstanding in their class: the fleet includes the world's best luxury ships. the EUROPA and the EUROPA 2, which are the only ships to be awarded the top rating of 5-star plus by the Berlitz Cruise Guide, as well as the HANSEATIC nature and the HANSEATIC inspiration, the first two of the new expedition class which consists of three ships. The new HANSEATIC spirit completed the fleet, when she joined in summer 2021, and continues the modernization process of the expedition fleet. The adventure trips on the luxurious ALBERT BALLIN private jet, a particularly exclusive type of travel, complements the portfolio.