Last week we learned that forward thinking eco-friendly cruise ship Hurtigruten are to commission a new fleet of ships saving 20% of their energy spend by creating Hybrid ships. It’s their belief that fully electric propulsion on a passenger ship will be possible.
Hurtigruten feel being a cruise line that spend the majority of their time sailing the narrow crevices of both the Arctic and Antarctic they have a responsibility to lead the way and protect their immediate environment as well as doing their part to generally act responsibly for the future of preserving the Earth.
Could this mean the future of cruising is both silent and omission free?
Norwegian seem most happy about being first here as their plan is to show the World that you can propel a ship entirely with Hybrid technology. Once this happens then it’s surly only a matter of time before its made into Maritime law and other responsible forward thinking companies commission their new ships with this Hybrid technology.
The project is being organised by Rolls Royce in partnership with Bellona a non for profit company holding the torch for the global fight against climate change. Its being described in the industry as a Milestone event.
This is the largest ever investment by The Norwegian company who’s contract runs for two ships with the option of a further two ships in the offing.
For anyone wanting a summery of what a ship made with Hybrid energy means I have used this walk through guide from Hurtigruten
About the hybrid technology
- Makes fully electric propulsion an option for shorter periods of time
- New battery technology contributes to a significant reduction of CO2 from ships
- New solutions will contribute to a 20 percent reduction of fuel consumption. In total, the two new ships will have a reduced CO2 emission of 6400 metric tons per year compared to traditional ships. In perspective, this is the same amount of yearly emissions created by 5540 new cars.
The technology is developed in two phases:
- Phase 1: A battery powered auxiliary engine will provide large reductions in fuel consumption related to “peakshaving”. This solution is installed on the first expeditionary ship ready in 2019.
- Phase 2: If the technology is ready, large batteries will be installed that provide the possibility of fully electric sailing across longer distances and over longer periods of time. This propulsion will be used when sailing into fjords, at port and in vulnerable areas. The goal is to install this technology in ship number 2, which is finished in 2019. The goal is also to refurbish ship number one with the same technology.
It’s the hope of billions of us that as we move forward through time other companies take the necessary steps to preserve life on earth.
I would like to praise Norwegian for their forward thinking and responsible conservation of precious energy.