Hurtigruten launches its first battery-powered hybrid ship
Hurtigruten launched its first battery-powered hybrid ship, the newly refurbished MS Richard With, and thus embarked on its ship’s environmental enhancement program, believed to be the largest in its history. The purpose is to reduce CO2 emissions and pursue a zero emissions target.
richard-with
To achieve this dramatic improvement, the ship underwent extensive upgrades and was fitted with battery packs, brand new engines, and new propulsion systems at Myklebust Yard in northwestern Norway. It is the first of seven ships in the Coastal Express fleet to be refurbished. It now features state-of-the-art technology, significantly reducing CO2 and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.
Miklebust
“With MS Richard With back in operations as a fully-upgraded ship, guests can sail the Norwegian coast on a quieter, state-of-the-art, and environmentally-friendly ship, while enjoying a traditional experience unlike anything in the world. Over the next year, all our seven Coastal Express ships will be upgraded to be more sustainable,” said Hedda Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten Norway.
As part of a major effort to make the fleet more sustainable, Hurtigruten Norway has invested nearly €100 million in green upgrades, which will be implemented by early 2024 on all seven of the company’s ships to achieve Tier III equivalent emissions (the most stringent international standard for NOx emissions). This move follows its subsidiary, Hurtigruten Expeditions, which introduced the world’s first hybrid battery on a motorized expedition vessel, MS Roald Amundsen, in 2019.
“This is one of the largest environmental upgrades of its kind in Europe, and the largest in Hurtigruten’s history. The fact that we have made these upgrades at Myklebust Yard, with as much Norwegian technology as possible, is no coincidence. Hurtigruten Norway has been a contributor to local communities for 130 years and will continue to be so when sailing, building, and upgrading our ships,” Felin said.
Hurtigruten Norway
They plan to have the first zero-emission ship by 2030; planning work for the next generation of ships has already begun with these huge green investments, involving new and modern energy management systems and frameworks. Other green upgrades include new, modern navigational and maneuvering bridge systems, and new boilers to improve heat recovery from main engines for reduced energy consumption.
Don’t miss the news, updates and promotions on Cruising Journal, with Hurtigruten Reviews, tips, and cruise offers.
