KfW IPEX-Bank and Commerzbank finance third expedition ship for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Frankfurt am Main (ots) -

- HANSEATIC spirit to be built at Norwegian VARD shipyard
- Support for Europe's export industry in global competition
- Cutting-edge technology for sustainability in expedition
cruising

KfW IPEX-Bank and Commerzbank are financing a third expedition
ship for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. The Hamburg-based subsidiary of TUI
Group already contracted the Norwegian VARD shipyard in 2016 to build
the sister vessels HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC inspiration, which
are scheduled for delivery in 2019. Delivery of the HANSEATIC spirit
is planned for 2021.

As with the predecessor vessels, KfW IPEX-Bank and Commerzbank
structured the entire financing and are both acting as Mandated Lead
Arranger.

"This closing again underscores our structuring competence when it
comes to tailored financings in the cruise segment," said Andreas
Ufer, member of the Management Board of KfW IPEX-Bank at the signing.
"We are pleased to - together with Commerzbank - continue our
successful business partnership with Hapay-Lloyd Cruises and, with
our financing, to support one of the key German players in global
competition in the booming cruise sector."

As the expedition ship will be equipped with the highest ice class
for passenger ships (PC6), it will be operating primarily in the
polar regions of the Arctic and the Antarctic, although it will also
head for warmer destinations such as the Amazon region. The ship will
be fitted with state-of-the-art technology and environmental
technology for its travels in these sensitive areas.

With a length of 139 metres the new vessel will be able to
accommodate up to 230 passengers (199 for Antarctic and Spitzbergen
expeditions) and 175 crew members. It will sport a high percentage of
balcony cabins, three board restaurants and a number of technical
innovations and new features on the cruise market. For example, it
will have not only an accessible prow and a marina for water sports
at the stern, but also two movable glass balconies that extend up
from the body of the ship and offer an unobstructed view from up high
of the ocean and its inhabitants. On-board electrically powered
Zodiacs will be available for low-emission excursions in expedition
areas without ports or landing stages.

About KfW IPEX-Bank

Within KfW Group, KfW IPEX-Bank is responsible for international
project and export finance. It offers medium and long-term financing
to support key export industries, to develop economic and social
infrastructure, to fund environmental and climate protection projects
and to secure the supply of raw materials. KfW IPEX-Bank operates as
a legally independent group subsidiary and is represented in the most
important economic and financial centres across the globe.

About Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

In German-speaking countries Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is considered to
be the leading provider of luxury and expedition cruises. It is a
100% subsidiary of TUI Group - the world's number one tourism group -
and currently operates a fleet of three ships: EUROPA and EUROPA 2
are luxury ships and the only ones worldwide to have received the top
rating of 5-stars-plus from Berlitz Cruise Guide. The expedition ship
BREMEN (4-star*) departs on discovery tours across the globe.
Extraordinary travel on the luxurious private jet ALBERT BALLIN is a
particularly exclusive way of traveling that complements the company
portfolio. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises continues to grow and will be
commissioning three new five-star expedition ships: HANSEATIC nature
and HANSEATIC inspiration will join the fleet in 2019, to be followed
in 2021 by HANSEATIC spirit. The newbuilds will be positioned in the
polar regions of the Arctic and the Antarctic as well as in warmer
destinations.

Pressekontakt:
KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH, Palmengartenstraße 5-9, 60325 Frankfurt
Pressestelle: E-Mail: Dela.Strumpf@kfw.de
Tel. 069 7431-2984, Fax: 069 7431-9409, E-Mail:
info@kfw-ipex-bank.de,
Internet: www.kfw-ipex-bank.de

Original-Content von: KfW IPEX-Bank, übermittelt durch news aktuell