Hybrid vessels named Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen after Norwegian polar explorers
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Norwegian operator Hurtigruten is to name its first two new hybrid expedition cruise ships Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen in honour of the two influential Norwegian polar explorers.
The 530-passenger vessels have been designed by Rolls-Royce in collaboration with Norwegian yacht designer Espen Øino and will be built by Norway’s Kleven Yards. They are due to be delivered in 2018 and 2019 and there are also plans to build two additional vessels.
“It is exactly 105 years since Roald Amundsen became the first person in the world to plant his flag on the South Pole, 128 years since Fridtjof Nansen skied across Greenland, and 120 years since Richard With, Hurtigruten’s founder, first started exploration tourism in the Arctic,” said Daniel Skjeldam, Hurtigruten CEO. “What could be more natural and appropriate than to name our new ships after these inspiring trailblazers.”
Designed as the first of Hurtigruten’s new class of exploration ships purpose-built to sail in polar waters and along the Norwegian coast, the two vessels will have strengthened hulls for traversing ice.
Both ships will feature Scandinavian designs inspired by nature, as well as large observation platforms on several decks, three restaurants offering menus inspired by local flavours and destinations, and a pool deck with infinity pools, Jacuzzis and bars. Guests will be accommodated in 265 cabins, the majority of which will have their own balcony and a small number of which will be suites.
Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen will both be equipped with hybrid technology to enable them to sail with electric propulsion for 15-30 minutes. This technology, combined with the hull shape and effective use of onboard electricity, will decrease fuel consumption by 20% and reduce the ships’ carbon dioxide emissions. In total, the two new ships will eliminate 6,400 metric tons of carbon dioxide emission per year compared to traditional ships.
“These ground-breaking expedition ships will revolutionise adventure travel at sea,” said Skjeldam. “We are combining Hurtigruten’s more than 120 years of know-how with cutting-edge technology and design, and a strong commitment to sustainability, to offer the modern-day adventure traveller unprecedented experience.”
Hurtigruten will reveal 2018 and 2019 itineraries for Roald Amundsen this November.