Wärtsilä is to supply a range of solutions to support Hurtigruten in its push for greener and more sustainable shipping.
Hurtigruten is converting an additional three vessels to become hybrid powered expedition cruise ships.
The order with Wärtsilä was placed in the second quarter of this year and covers the ‘’Finnmarken’, the first of the three vessels to be upgraded. Following the conversion project, the 140 m, 530 pax ship will be renamed ’Otto Sverdrup’.
The work includes upgrading the ship’s Wärtsilä engines for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to restrict emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Four Wärtsilä Nitrogen Oxide Reducer (NOR) systems will be installed.
Wärtsilä will also deliver two Energopac systems. The integrated propeller and rudder design of the Wärtsilä Energopac utilises advanced hydrodynamic technology to optimise propulsion efficiency. This enables effective savings in fuel, costs, and emissions. The ship will also have the capability to operate on battery power to further lessen its environmental footprint.
“We have enjoyed a good customer relationship with Hurtigruten for many years, and we are pleased and honoured to have been selected to supply our sustainable solutions to a company that is committed to protecting the environment. The fact that we could deliver Tier III certificates for the total installation was a significant factor in the award of this contract,” said Cato Esperø, Wärtsilä Marine’s Head of Sales, Service Unit Nordics and Baltics.
“At Hurtigruten, the push for sustainable solutions and introduction of green technology is the core of everything we do. We operate in some of the most spectacular areas of the world. This comes with a responsibility,” added Daniel Skjeldam, Hurtigruten CEO.
Wärtsilä’s equipment is scheduled for delivery in December of this year. Hurtigruten has announced that all new additions to its fleet, as well as its existing vessels, will be made compliant with the IMO’s Tier III regulations.
