Hurtigruten ship Richard With has been upgraded with “state-of-the-art technology” that will “significantly reduce” both carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions.
The 590-passenger vessel, which is now back operating itineraries along the Norwegian coast, is the first of seven Hurtigruten vessels to be revamped over the next year as part of a €100 million upgrade programme.
Richard With (pictured) has been retrofitted with battery packages, engines and propulsion systems at Myklebust Yard in Norway.
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The hull has been improved to reduce drag and make it more efficient. Hurtigruten will also use certified biofuels to cut CO2 emissions.
All seven ships will also be fitted with systems that cut nitrous oxide emissions by 80% before the end of summer 2023.
Hurtigruten Norway chief executive Hedda Felin called this fleet-wide upgrade “one of the largest in Europe”.
She said: “With MS Richard With back in operations as a fully-upgraded ship, guests can sail the Norwegian coast on a quieter, state-of-the-art, and environmentally-friendly ship, while enjoying a traditional experience unlike anything in the world.
“Becoming a green company means investing in efforts with documented effects, such as the ones we are doing now.”
Felin said the line would heavily invest in fitting its existing fleet with green technologies that were currently available.
But she added: “Our goal is to get to zero emissions and the work to plan the next generation zero emission vessels has already started.
“Our plan is to have the first emission-free ship in our fleet by 2030, and we’re working hard on achieving that.”
Hurtigruten Expeditions has three battery-powered ships in its fleet.
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