Hapag-Lloyd Cruises marked the steel cutting of the new Hanseatic Nature, which will launch into luxury expedition service in April of 2019.

The steel was cut during a ceremony at the VARD shipyard in Tulcea, Romania, with a 23-month build period expected.

Karl J. Pojer, CEO, gave the signal to start the steel cutting. He was joined in the ceremony by Roger Vassdal, senior vice president for VARD’s operations in Romania, who handed over a symbolic steel silhouette of the new ship.

“After an intense planning stage, we are very pleased to commence Hanseatic Nature’s construction process with the first steel cut. The segment of expedition cruises currently offers enormous potential and with two new additions to our fleet next to the very popular Bremen we are well positioned for the future,” said Pojer.

The keel-laying of the ship is scheduled for June. The ship’s hull will be constructed in Tulcea and then be toward to VARD Langsten in Norway, where the outfitting and the finishing of the interior will take place.

The Hanseatic Inspiration follows in October 2019.