At the core of Hurtigruten Group’s large-scale green upgrade of the fleet of Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express ships are batteries, shore power, biofuel. As a result, CO2 emissions are expected to be reduced by at least 25 %, and NOx emissions cut by 80%.
In what is described as one of the biggest environmental upgrades in the history of European shipping, all 7 Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express vessels will undergo significant green upgrades by 2023. The cruise ships will be upgraded via a combination of solutions and technologies specially adapted for each individual vessel. All cruise ships have already been fitted with shore-power connectivity in order to fully eliminate emissions when connected in port.
Three of the ships: MS Kong Harald, MS Nordlys, and MS Richard With, will undergo a drydock transformation to battery-hybrid power, with the installation of large battery packs and new low-emission engines.
Across the 7 ships, the upgrades are expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 25%, as well as cut NOx emissions by ~80%.
Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express is part of Hurtigruten Group, the leading adventure travel group which also includes Hurtigruten Expeditions, the largest expedition cruise line in the world.
To ensure the immediate effect of the green upgrade programme already as Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express returns all 7 vessels to operation this summer, certified biofuel is to be introduced across the fleet. Hurtigruten Expeditions will start trials with biofuel on selected vessels and itineraries this year.
The green upgrades of Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express vessels are the latest in a series of large-scale investment in green technology and sustainability in Hurtigruten Group.
Hurtigruten Expeditions launched the first battery-hybrid-powered cruise ships in the world, MS Roald Amundsen, and MS Fridtjof Nansen. Hurtigruten is also transforming MS Finnmarken to the battery-hybrid powered expedition ship MS Otto Sverdrup, with advanced green technology and large battery packs.
In 2018, the Group celebrated its 125th anniversary by being the first major travel company and cruise line to ban single-use plastic.