Insider Look at Hurtigruten’s Upcoming Hybrid Expedition Ships

With Hurtigruten’s next new expedition ship—MS Roald Amundsen—scheduled to set sail next summer, I wanted to check in with the adventure line and learn more about what we can expect from its innovative hybrid design.

I had the chance to pose several questions to Gordon Dirker, Managing Director at Hurtigruten, who was kind enough to answer below:

What initially inspired such a green cruise ship?

For too long, “innovation” in the cruise industry has been a race to build bigger ships with more waterslides, bumper cars and surfing waves. For Hurtigruten, innovation is all about honoring our Norwegian explorer heritage and moving the industry forward by developing technology and solutions that will benefit both our guests and the environment. 

How was it decided to select Rolls Royce designs?

When selecting Norwegian Kleven Yards for the project, the Rolls Royce design was part of the deal as the biggest subcontractor. The revolutionary new ships are developed and designed by Hurtigruten in cooperation with Kleven Yards, Rolls Royce Marine and Norwegian yacht designer Espen øino.

Even the first glimpse of the exterior shows that these ships will be something different. A closer look inside will reveal a premium expedition ship packed with technology, custom-built expedition equipment and comfortable Scandinavian design that creates a perfect basecamp at sea.

How does a hybrid ship compare to, say, a hybrid car?

Of course, powering an advanced 450 feet expedition ship with several hundred guests on board through some of the world’s most pristine waters is a different ballgame than moving a car down the freeway. That said, the development of battery technology has a lot to thank Tesla and the rest of the car industry for.

Now it is up to us to take the technology to the next level.

Hurtigruten firmly believes the future is electric and emission free. We have set aside room to expand battery racks as technology evolves. With MS Roald Amundsen, we’re showing the industry what’s possible already today. We believe this is just the beginning.

READ MORE: Hurtigruten Begins Construction of First Hybrid Expedition Ship

Will they ever be able to run completely silent?

Switching to battery power, all engine noise will be removed. Imagine, standing on the observation deck on the bow, watching the wildlife while feeling the gentle breeze in your face as the ship glides through the waters of the most spectacular areas of the planet.

Knowing you’re on board the world’s most environmentally friendly cruise ship, this will be an experience unlike anything else.

What kind of environmental sustainability will they be able to achieve?

Sustainability is at the core of every little detail of the design and technical solutions of the vessel, from the hybrid power and propulsion system to ship and hotel operations — including waste management, heat recovery and energy efficiency — to the guest experience. When designing the ship, we started from scratch, combining Hurtigruten’s 125 years of experience as Polar Pioneers with cutting edge Norwegian maritime technology.

The result is the greenest, safest and most advanced cruise ship in the world.

A conservative estimate calculates that the hybrid engine solution alone will result in a reduction of emissions to at least 20 % compared to other ships of the same size — a number that will increase as battery power evolves. This saves more than 3000 tonnes of CO2 a year. In addition to the hybrid solutions, MS Roald Amundsen will feature the most energy efficient hotel operation ever on a ship, and take the industry the first giant step towards Hurtigruten’s ultimate goal: A total emission free cruise ship.

READ MORE: Cruise Industry Remains Environmentally Committed

Will these ships allow Hurtigruten to sail anywhere entirely new?

This is a new generation of expedition ships that we strongly believe will revolutionize the global adventure travel industry. MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen will be the most versatile and flexible ships in our fleet. The combination of new technology and comfortable guest areas packed in an ice-strengthened hull will make this ships able to explore pretty much the entire globe — well beyond the Polar waters we have mastered for 125 years.

What prompted the blunt bow design? Added stability?

As the rest of the ship, the bow design stands out. It’s a specially designed wave piercing bow from Rolls Royce that combines a vertical leading edge with a bulbous lower section and straight lined sections with no flear in the upper section.

Designed for real sea conditions, tests show significantly better performance in a seaway, less speed reduction, reduced movement and most important: Lower hull resistance, lower fuel consumption and less emissions than ships with conventional raked bow.

READ MORE: Hurtigruten Plans Itineraries for Newly Named Hybrid Ships

What other features are you particularly excited for?

Even though the ship will be unlike anything ever built, the on board experience will be focused on the areas we are exploring. MS Roald Amundsen features extensive in- and outdoor explorer decks that will offer spectacular views, including a two level, forward facing explorer deck wrapped around the bow, [along with] an aft top deck pool bar with an infinity pool. 

The core of the experience will be an immersive high-tech activity center and the handpicked Expedition Team.

But most of all, we’re excited about the fact that these ships are moving the industry forward even before the construction started. MS Roald Amundsen will be a perfect match to the fast growing global demand for sustainable adventure travel. The guests care about sustainability, and the industry should too.

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