Dead fish are being seen as a potential new sustainable power source for cruise ships.
Norwegian expedition cruise line Hurtigruten is considering powering ships with liquefied biogas (LBG) – fossil-free, renewable gas produced from dead fish and other organic waste.
The company plans to operate at least six of its fleet of 17 ships on a combination of biogas, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and large battery packs by 2021 and expects to spend $850 million in an ambition to build the world’s greenest cruise line.
Three hybrid powered expedition ships are currently being built at Norway’s Kleven ship yard. MS Roald Amundsen, MS Fridtjof Nansen and the third, unnamed sister vessel, will be delivered in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
MS Roald Amundsen is expected to be the world’s first battery-hybrid powered cruise ship, custom built for sustainable operations in some of the world’s most pristine waters such as Antarctica.
The introduction will mark the start of a large-scale green upgrade project, replacing traditional diesel propulsion with battery packs and gas engines on several Hurtigruten ships.
In addition to LNG, these vessels will also be the first cruise ships in the world to run on liquefied biogas.
CEO Daniel Skjeldam said: “What other see as a problem, we see as a resource and a solution.
“By introducing biogas as fuel for cruise ships, Hurtigruten will be the first cruise company to power ships with fossil-free fuel.
“Renewable biogas is a clean source of energy, considered the most eco-friendly fuel currently available.
“Biogas is already used as fuel in small parts of the transport sector, especially in buses.
“Northern Europe and Norway, which has large fishery and forestry sectors that produces a steady volume of organic waste, has a unique opportunity to become world leader in biogas production.”
He added: “While competitors are running on cheap, polluting heavy fuel oil, our ships will literally be powered by nature.
“Biogas is the greenest fuel in shipping, and will be a huge advantage for the environment. We would love other cruise companies to follow.
“Sustainability will be a key driver for the new era of shipping and the travel industry.
“Hurtigruten’s unmatched investments in green technology and innovation sets a new standard for the whole industry to follow. Our ultimate goal is to operate our ships completely emission free,” Skjeldam said.