The project to upgrade Hurtigruten’s Coastal Express passenger vessels is one of the largest of its kind in Europe with an investment value of approximately €100 million.

Inspired by Hurtigruten’s own determination to reduce CO2 emissions from its coastal fleet by at least 25 per cent, the first two ships are in full operation along the Norwegian coast, delivering not only emissions reductions but also crucial data about the success of the project and its implications for the future.

Upgrades

Green and supreme

An ambitious collaboration between Kongsberg Maritime, Myklebust Verft and Hurtigruten Coastal Express is seeing conversion of three existing passenger vessels to hybrid technology. The first two of three retrofits have been completed and the first ship, MS Richard With, is already delivering a 23 per cent reduction in emissions, with that figure expected to rise further.  

  • Text:Global Sales and Marketing

    Photo:©Kongsberg Maritime | ©Hurtigruten

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23%

MS Richard With, is already delivering a 23 per cent reduction in emissions, with that figure expected to rise further. 

The project to upgrade Hurtigruten’s Coastal Express passenger vessels is one of the largest of its kind in Europe with an investment value of approximately €100 million.

The 121-metre MS Richard With, built in 1993, was the first of three ships to be relaunched, in August 2022. The second ship, MS Kong Harald, returned to service in May 2023 and the final ship, MS Nordlys, will be complete in 2025.

Inspired by Hurtigruten’s own determination to reduce CO2 emissions from its coastal fleet by at least 25 per cent, the first two ships are in full operation along the Norwegian coast, delivering not only emissions reductions but also crucial data about the success of the project and its implications for the future.

MS Kong Harald features new, cleaner technology

“Our industry is too slow in its transition to green energy. The future of maritime tourism and transport needs to be sustainable. We have built our last fossil fuel ship for the Norwegian Coastal Express. We are working to design ships with CO2 emissions in mind. But it’s important to start with ships in operation today.”

Hedda Felin, Hurtigruten Norway CEO, highlights the maritime travel industry’s responsibilities to cut emissions and be more sustainable.

Improving sustainability

That process began with the contract between Hurtigruten, Kongsberg Maritime and shipbuilding partner Myklebust Verft to upgrade three coastal ships.

“By collaborating, we complement each other to deliver the result our customer wants.“  

Geir Oscar Løseth, Kongsberg Maritime’s Vice President of Sales Aftermarket Advanced Offerings

“Throughout the tender process, we spoke about what Hurtigruten needed and how we could achieve it. We had clear tasks: improved capability, stronger wind resistance and, of course, 25 per cent reduction in emissions.

“We have multiple competencies in the different elements that are important for an upgrade like this. We have strong skills in structure, in propulsion, in automation and control. And we’re the best in the world at combining those skills to achieve customer requirements.

“Our experts have the design and engineering expertise, product and domain knowledge, project lists and advanced computational and design tools to identify, develop and implement the right solutions,” adds Geir Oscar.

From a wider perspective, the upgrade is also a much quicker way to meet the emissions requirements. Geir Oscar continues: “We can do the full turnover of a vessel in four or five months. An entirely new build takes much longer time.  

“We are very pleased with the performance of the first two ships and through continued cooperation with Hurtigruten, we can expect to see further optimisation of the new systems.”

The MS Nordlys upgrade will be completed in 2025

Making the decision to invest

Given the global climate at the time the project was being considered, Hurtigruten didn’t enter this project lightly. 

Hedda says: “Taking the decision to invest €100 million in upgrading our existing fleet in the middle of the [Covid-19] pandemic was tough. We had no guests and a great deal of financial uncertainty. However, I’m very pleased with the decision we made.

“We had the opportunity to upgrade the interior of the fleet and give the ships the best of today’s technology. Plus, it’s more environmentally friendly to retrofit a vessel than to scrap and build a new one.”

The vessels are being fitted with two hybrid shaft generators, two SaveEnergy 1.120kWh lithium-ion batteries and two new Bergen B33:45V engines. They also have new tunnel thruster motors and propeller blades from Kongsberg Maritime.

On the control systems side, the team has installed the KONGSBERG digital management system, which includes health monitoring, and SaveCube integrated drive switchboards, including frequency converters, drives and DC system. 

23% Reduction in Emissions

The first two of three retrofits are complete, and the MS Richard With is already delivering a 23% reduction in emissions, with even more improvements expected.

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