Hapag-Lloyd Cruises announced its Ms Bremen has become of the first passenger ships in the world to receive the Polar Ship Certificate, which is mandatory for ships operating in polar regions, the company said. 

“The Polar Code will improve the safety of navigation in polar waters significantly. We have taken a pioneering step in certifying the BREMEN and paved the way for the other ships in the fleet of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises to comply with the Polar Code. I am happy to have contributed,” said Captain Thilo Natke, who oversaw the certification process for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Natke prepared a Polar Water Operational Manual that will, in particular, familiarise younger officers with the ship-specific particularities of navigating in ice.

All of the other ships in the fleet are also due to meet the requirements of the Polar Code by the Arctic season in 2018, the company announced. 

The Bremen received a small number of technical upgrades for its new compliance. For instance, fire lines located on deck were fitted with additional insulation and an additional ice spotlight was installed when the Bremen was in dock in October 2016.

A wide range of extra equipment has also been sourced in order to ensure the survival of passengers and crew members in potential emergencies in the polar regions. During 2017, as part of their routine drydock periods in the shipyard, the other ships in the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ fleet will also be brought in line with the criteria of the certificate in order that they meet the requirements of the Polar Code at the latest by the Arctic season in 2018 and are able to operate in the regions successfully.