A Norwegian cruise company called Hurtigruten has ordered the production of two electric cruise ships, one of which will be done by the year 2018. The ships will have a hybrid electric/diesel propulsion, which would allow them to sail completely electric for 15 to 30 minutes at a time.
The first ship that the company is rolling out will have an auxiliary engine design, which will reduce C02 emissions of the cruise ships by 20 percent. The second ship will be ready a bit later in 2019 will have an even stronger hybrid engine and batteries attached that will allow it to go electric for longer periods of time. Once that is perfected on the second ship they plan to update the first ship in the same way.
The ships will both be built in Norway, with the capacity to hold 530 people at a time. The CEO of Hurtigruten Daniel Skjelda has explained that the move towards electric was inspired by lowering emissions.
“The future of shipping is, without a doubt, silent and emission free. We will use our new expeditionary ships as groundbreakers for this new technology and show the world that hybrid propulsion on large ships is possible.”
But he also added that the technology is great for cruises as well.
“To be able to sail using only electrical power is not only a great benefit for the environment, but it will also enhance the impact of experiencing nature for the guests.”
