Norwegian explorer cruise line, Hurtigruten, is a leader in building new expedition ships using a new and environmentally sustainable hybrid technology. The chosen solutions reduce the fuel consumption by around 20 percent. For the first time, fully electric propulsion on a passenger ship is now possible.
The decision to invest in a hybrid solution was an important milestone in Hurtigruten’s goal of sailing fully electric expeditionary ships in the Arctic and Antarctic. The ships, constructed at Kleven Yards in Norway, will be the world’s first expeditionary ships with true hybrid propulsion.
Emission free cruising is seen as the future. Hurtigruten’s new expeditionary ships will break new ground for this new technology and show the world that hybrid propulsion on large ships is possible said a source from Hurtigruten.
The hybrid solution is developed by Rolls Royce. Bellona, a non-profit organisation working to meet and fight climate challenges, have been central in the project and feel that this is a milestone event.
The new ships, represent the largest singular investments in the history of Hurtigruten. The contract with Kleven includes the construction of two ships with a capacity of 530 beds. The contract includes an option for two more ships.
The hybrid ships are to be constructed in two phases. The first ship, which is ready in 2018, is equipped with an auxiliary electric engine, that will reduce the CO2 emissions by 20 percent. Ship number two is to be built with a fully-fledged hybrid engine that can power the entire ship for longer periods of time and distances, into fjords and most importantly in vulnerable areas.
The investment in new technology will have a total cost of 124 million NOK. Enova, a Norwegian government enterprise responsible for promotion of environmentally friendly production and consumption of energy is contributing to the project with 45.1 million NOK.
The technology is likely to result in:
- 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.
About the ships:
- Specially constructed for voyages in polar waters.
- The ships are designed by Rolls Royce and are constructed by Kleven Yards.
- Number of passengers: 530
- Strengthened hulls for traversing ice
- Number of cabins: 265
- Dimensions (exterior): Length 140 meters, width 23.6 meters, height 29 meters
- Depth: 5.3 meters
- Adapted for the service route along the Norwegian coast