Our driving force – a cruise is the most exciting way of experiencing the earth and its beauty. Protecting the environment is of the highest priority for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, in order to preserve this beauty for a long time to come. Exploring new shores also means assuming responsibility. When it comes to environmental friendliness, there is rarely one all-encompassing solution. This goes for our ships, too. We combine a variety of smaller- and larger-scale measures to continuously improve our environmental performance. These range from design modifications that help reduce consumption to technical solutions that decrease air emissions as well as various measures within our daily operations.
The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators promotes a respectful attitude to the Antarctic environment. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises co-founded the association in 1991. IAATO has defined detailed standards on environmental protection and passenger safety – as a member, we are committed to observing these standards. It also stipulates where landings are permitted and provides a binding code of conduct for tour operators and passengers.
We are also a member of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) – this membership is provisional for the first year in accordance with the statutes. Founded in 2003, this organisation promotes responsible, environmentally friendly and safe tourism in the Arctic north of the 60th line of latitude and sets high standards to achieve these goals. Among other things, the AECO draws up guidelines on dealing with wild creatures, local communities and the regional nature, both for tour operators and their guests.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is also a member of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). This globally active association represents 14 cruise operators in Germany alone and promotes networking and dialogue both within and outside the industry – for example with ports, politicians, suppliers and NGOs. Central topics include current environmental issues and ways to make cruises more sustainable.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is committed to sustainable, ethical business practices in compliance with applicable laws, conventions and regulations, and therefore adheres to internal principles of conduct, guidelines and procedures that provide direction to its own daily activities and actions.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises supports efforts to protect human rights, developing appropriate, eco-efficient and socially sustainable responsibility chains and response mechanisms within its own sphere of influence.
For this reason, the TUI Cruises code of conduct for suppliers, which also applies to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, sets specific minimum standards that Hapag-Lloyd Cruises expects from its suppliers, their employees, subcontractors, agents and subsidiaries. This ensures sustainable practices are specifically called for in the supply chain and made verifiable.
