Eco-friendly motors will power rubber expedition boats used by guests onboard Hanseatic and Bremen
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has become the first cruise operator to install eco-friendly electric motors onboard the rubber Zodiac boats on its expedition vessels, Hanseatic and Bremen.
Used to take guests to inaccessible areas in some of the world’s most remote regions, the Zodiacs have been equipped with Deep Blue electric motors from German manufacturer Torqeedo. The 80 horsepower motors have been piloted over the past year and showed a ‘previously unseen level of output’.
Unlike combustion motors, the Deep Blue electric propulsion system does not release emissions or harmful substances into the water, helping to protect the vulnerable waters Hapag-Lloyd’s excursions visit. In addition, the motors are ‘considerably quieter’ than the Zodiacs’ previous 36 horsepower motors.
“For years, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ ships have used low-emissions marine diesel in fragile cruising areas such as the Arctic and Antarctic, and equipping our expedition Zodiacs with electric motors represents another investment in the future of our environment,” said Karl Pojer, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. “With their flora and fauna, our cruise destinations are key to the appeal of our itineraries and we want to protect what fascinates us.”