The Maritime Executive
Hurtigruten Norway is continuing to upgrade its coast fleet in order to reduce their environmental impact. It also plans to meet future regulations. Hurtigruten anticipates that the rebuilt ships will reduce CO2 emissions by 25% and NOx emissions up to 80 percent when the project is complete in 2023.
Hurtigruten expects to convert three of its coast vessels to hybrid propulsion systems by the summer of 2023. These vessels, along with three others in the fleet, will also be equipped with emissions technology. The seven vessels currently under construction are in addition to the six ships that are being upgraded. VesterålenThe, which was equipped with new engines and emission technologies in 2019, was upgraded. The vessels make up the company’s coastal fleet operating from Bergen to northern Norway and are separate from Hurtigruten Expeditions that operates the expedition cruise ships including vessels converted from the coastal fleet.
“This is the biggest environmental upgrade Hurtigruten has ever made, and one of Europe’s largest. This will have a significant impact on reducing the emissions in Norwegian waters. We are proud that such an investment also has ripple effects in the local communities on the coast,” said Hedda Felin CEO, Hurtigruten Norway.
The first of the vessels, Richard WithThe ship, which was built in 1993 is currently at Myklebust Yard, northwestern Norway. There, the ship will be fitted out with new main engines as well as large battery packs. The 11,200-ton vessel was previously upgraded in 2018 to allow her to offer expedition cruises. On August 9, 2022, she will return to service. Her sister ship, the Kong HaraldThe Richard With will be returning to service in the near future, so the conversion of the Richard With’s ship, also built in 1993, is expected to begin at the Myklebust Yard. The plan also calls to award a contract for the conversion of the third ship in this class. Nordlys To undergo a similar transformation before the summer 2023.
“This is one of the largest environmental vessel upgrades to be undertaken in Europe,” said Egil Haugsdal, President, Kongsberg Maritime. Kongsberg Maritime is responsible to design the ships and make any upgrades.
The work includes the installation and optimization of propeller blades, hull optimization and new control systems. Each vessel will emit emissions equivalent to Tier III when it is completed. The upgrades include the installation state-of-the art wastewater treatment plants.
The three other ships that operate on the coast service are the Nordnorge, Nordkapp, PolarlysThese vessels are slightly older and larger than the others, so they will not receive as many upgrades. However, all six ships will receive selective catalytic reduction equipment (SCR). The technology is considered one of the most efficient to reduce NOx emissions.
Hurtigruten stated that it had set a goal to reduce the fleet’s emissions to zero, but that the technology is still not ready for use. Hurtigruten Norway plans to use certified biofuels on large scales to reduce CO2 emissions. The company noted that all of its ships have shore power conversion, which means that they can eliminate emissions from ports with shore power.