TRAVEL NEWS 15 May 2021: Batteries, shore power and biofuel are at the heart of what Hurtigruten Group calls a large-scale green upgrade of its coastal expedition fleet. The line expects that the changes will reduce CO2 emissions by at least 25 percent and NOx emissions by 80 percent. In what has been described as one of the largest environmental upgrades in the history of European shipping, all seven Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express ships will undergo significant green upgrades by 2023.
“We combine the best available technical solutions and reduce CO2 emissions along the Norwegian coast by at least a quarter,” said Hedda Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express.
“Most importantly, we are laying the groundwork for introducing new and even more efficient environmental solutions as they are developed.”
The ships will be upgraded with a combination of technologies and solutions specially adapted for each individual ship. All ships are already equipped with shore power connections – to completely eliminate emissions when connected in port.
Three vessels – MS Richard With, MS Nordlys and MS Kong Harald – will undergo a full transformation to battery hybrid power, with the installation of new low-emission engines and large battery packs.
Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express is part of Hurtigruten Group, an adventure tour group that also includes Hurtigruten Expeditions.
“Our goal is to make all our ships and all our cruises completely emission-free.
“While we are getting closer every day, we cannot sit still and wait for the technology to be there.
“We work closely with our partners to drive change, push boundaries while leveraging the best solutions available today,” added Daniel Skjeldam, CEO of the Hurtigruten Group.
To ensure that the green upgrade program takes effect immediately, as the Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express returns to service on all seven ships this summer, certified biofuel will be introduced across the fleet.
Hurtigruten Expeditions will also start trials of biofuel on selected vessels and selected routes in 2021.
