By 2021, six of the cruise operator’s vessels will run on clean electric power, natural gas and biogas
By
Elly Yates-Roberts |
Norwegian cruise line Hurtigruten has partnered with liquid biogas (LBG) producer Biokraft to power its ships with dead fish and other organic waste.
As per the 7.5-year deal, Biokraft will provide near-daily deliveries of the biogas to Hurtigruten ships, which will the first in the world to be powered by fossil-free LBG.
“We are proud to partner with Hurtigruten and see this as a major step towards green and sustainable shipping,” said Håvard Wollan, CEO of Biokraft. “It is very encouraging to see that Hurtigruten once again proves their stance as the world’s greenest cruise line, setting an example by effectively being the company that is introducing biogas as fuel in the shipping industry.”
Hurtigruten will replace its conventional engines with gas-powered engines and large battery packs on at least six of its ships by 2021. They will run on a combination of clean electric power, LNG and LBG.
“This is a large and significant move for Hurtigruten, for Biokraft, for green solutions in the global shipping industry, and most importantly, for the environment,” said Daniel Skjeldam, CEO of Hurtigruten.
Renewable LBG is considered the eco-friendliest fuel currently available. The first delivery of Biokraft’s LBG to Hurtigruten is expected in 2020.
“What others see as a problem, we see as a resource and a solution,” said Skjeldam. “While other operators are running on cheap, polluting heavy fuel oil, our ships will literally be powered by nature. Biogas is the greenest fuel in shipping, a no-brainer for us and a huge advantage for the environment. We would love other cruise companies to follow.”