Hurtigruten Chooses Names for New Expedition Ships

Hurtigruten Norwegian cruise line Hurtigruten has unveiled the names of its new hybrid-powered expedition ships, Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen. The expedition ships will be named after the two Norwegian polar pioneers from the period when the company started offering adventure travels. Being built by Hurtigrutens compatriot shipbuilder Kleven Maritime, the vessels are scheduled for delivery in the summer of 2018. The two ships were ordered in April this year, with an option for two additional expedition vessels. The vessels are designed by Rolls-Royce, in collaboration with the Norwegian yacht designer Espen Øino. New hybrid technology will make sailing with electric propulsion for 15-30 minutes a reality and substantially longer for ships to come, Hurtigruten said, adding that the technology, in combination with the construction of the hull and effective use of electricity on board, will reduce emissions from the ships by 20 percent. Intended for voyages in polar waters, the ships will have strengthened hulls for traversing ice. Each of the two vessels will feature a length of 140 meters and a width of 23.6 meters and will be able to accommodate 530 passengers.