Hurtigruten claims to have made maritime history by operating the world’s first battery-powered cruise ship.
Hybrid powered expedition vessel MS Roald Amundsen is powered by large battery packs.
These will be used to support the ship’s low-emission engines.
The hybrid propulsion will cut CO2 emissions with more than 20% compared to other ships of the same size.
The ship moved through the water silent and emission free – powered by the battery packs only – off the west coast of Norway in a test after leaving the shipyard were it was built ahead if its maiden voyage.
MS Roald Amundsen’s maiden season includes cruises along the Norwegian coast, to Svalbard and Greenland, before becoming the first hybrid powered ship to attempt a traverse of the Northwest Passage.
Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam said: “This opens a new chapter in maritime history.
“MS Roald Amundsen is the first cruise ship equipped with batteries, something deemed impossible just a few years back.
“With the introduction of MS Roald Amundsen, Hurtigruten sets a new standard not only for cruising, but for the entire shipping industry to follow.”
He added: “MS Roald Amundsen is designed and built with sustainability at core of every little detail. In addition to the green technology, this makes her the first cruise ship in the world designed to be single-use plastic free.
“Sustainability will also be an integral part of the guest experience. From the hand-picked Hurtigruten expedition team to the industry-first Science Center, we will give the guests a deeper understanding of the areas we explore.”
Sister ship MS Fridtjof Nansen is due to enter service next year.
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