Hurtigruten Norway has started one of Europe’s largest environmental ship upgrades. The rebuilt ships will cut CO2 emissions by 25% and NOx emissions by as much as 80%.
More specifically, three of the seven ships will be converted to hybrid ships. The first one is MS Richard With, which is currently at Myklebust Yard in northwestern Norway, where the ship will be fitted with brand new main engines and battery packs. The same will also be done on board MS Kong Harald and MS Nordlys.
Three other ships – MS Nordnorge, MS Nordkapp and MS Polarlys – will also be upgraded, and have SCR facilities installed on board. This will reduce NOx emissions by 80%. The last ship in the fleet, MS Vesterålen, was upgraded with brand new engines and SCR facilities already in 2019.
The upgrades will be completed in 2023.
This is the largest environmental upgrade in Hurtigruten’s history, and one of the largest of its kind in Europe. This will make a real impact in reducing emissions in Norwegian waters. The fact that such an investment also leads to ripple effects in the local communities along the coast, is something we are very proud of
said Hedda Felin, CEO, Hurtigruten Norway.
All ships in Hurtigruten Norway’s fleet already have shore power convertibility, eliminating emissions in ports with shore power available. The new upgrades include several other small and large changes such as new propeller blades, hull optimization, new bulbous bow, new gears, generators, and new control systems.
The upgrades also include the installation of state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plants to minimize emissions to sea.
The large-scale upgrade means that all Hurtigruten Norway’s seven Costal Express ships will have emissions equivalent to Tier III, the strictest international standard for NOx emissions.
Finally, Hurtigruten Norway will also use certified biofuels on a large scale to cut CO2 emissions.
