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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
Published: 25 October 2018 25 October 2018

Hurtigruten, the Norwegian expedition cruise specialist, said it has contracted a groundbreaking hybrid powered expedition cruise ship with the Kleven shipyard in Norway.

The new ship’s design, construction, engineering and advanced technology would be based on Hurtigruten’s two next-generation ships, Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen, currently under construction at the Kleven shipyard in Norway. It has now signed a memorandum of understanding to build a third ship with the same yard.

“We are thrilled to introduce yet another revolutionary hybrid powered expedition ship. This groundbreaking vessel will take our guests to some of the most spectacular areas of our planet, in a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly way than ever seen before, Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam said in a statement.

The new hybrid powered expedition ship, accommodating 530 guests, will be custom built for some of the most extreme conditions on the planet, with specially designed, ice-strengthened hull.

“These are greener, more advanced cruise ships than the world has ever seen – and ships that will raise standards for the whole industry to follow, as we enter a new era of expedition cruising driven by sustainability,”  Skjeldam said.

The new ship is expected to be delivered in the second quarter of 2021. Among the innovative green features on the new ship, are substantially larger battery packs to make expedition voyages even more sustainable.

“We are grateful for the confidence Hurtigruten shows us by signing a memorandum of understanding for a third, advanced expedition vessel with green technology combined with premium guest comfort. This is a confirmation of our unique skills and facilities, “ Kleven CEO Olav Nakken said in the statement.

Celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2018, Hurtigruten is the world’s largest expedition cruise operator with a fleet of 17 ships in service.