A joint project between Kongsberg Maritime (KM) and Myklebust Verft will convert three Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express vessels to hybrid operation.
This will form part of plans to cut Norwegian coastal CO2 emissions by at least 25%.
KM has signed of a contract to upgrade the three Hurtigruten passenger vessels by fitting comprehensive equipment packages for hybrid operation.
At the core of the extensive upgrades, each vessel will be fitted with two SAVe Energy 1,120 kWh lithium-ion energy storage systems, controlled via Kongsberg Maritime’s SAVe CUBE integrated drive switchboard.
This single cabinet includes all the frequency converters, drives and DC switching equipment necessary for the hybrid system, controlling all connected thrusters, saving space and simplifying cooling and installation.
“This is one of the largest environmental vessel upgrade projects to be undertaken in Europe,” said KM’s President Egil Haugsdal. “For us, it’s rewarding to work with a company that shares our ambitious approach to technology and environmental issues. These green upgrades of Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express ships represent a forward-looking, sustainable choice for their existing fleet.”
Two new, energy-efficient Bergen B33:45L6P diesel engines will power each vessel, equipped with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems to ensure optimal emissions control and compliance with IMO Tier III regulations, and fully compatible with KONGSBERG’s digital management solutions, including health monitoring.
The upgrade also includes reblading of the main propellers, new thruster motors, AC switching, safety and telegraph systems, in addition to full system integration and commissioning.
Shaft generators fitted to the engines will supply electrical power, managed by a custom installation of the K-Chief 700 power management system.
Data from on board sensors will be collated and shared via the K-IMS (information management system) application and analysed using Vessel Insight.
Geir Oscar Løseth, KM’s General Manager Sales, Advanced Offerings, explained: “Green shipping requires a holistic way of thinking. Optimal operation depends on many solutions working together to ensure that fuel consumption remains low. Every aspect of this project – from the equipment chosen to how it is integrated, installed and used – is equally important to achieving the final result.”
Daniel Skjeldam, Hurtigruten Group CEO, added: “Our goal is to operate all our ships and all our cruises completely emission-free. While we get a step closer day-by-day, we cannot sit idle and wait for the technology to be in place.
“We are working closely with our partners, such as the competent team at Kongsberg Maritime, to drive change and move boundaries, while at the same time utilising the best solutions already available today,” he said.
The first vessel to undergo an upgrade will be ‘Richard With’.
“We are honoured to be chosen by Kongsberg Maritime as a partner in this project,” said Inge-Jonny Hide, General Manager, Myklebust Verft. “In addition to building state-of-the-art new vessels, it’s important for us to receive orders for upgrades and retrofits than can prolong a ship’s lifetime in compliance with the new environmental regulations.”
