Hurtigruten Norway begins ship refit to cut emissions

Work on Hurtigruten Norway’s seven Norwegian Coastal Express ships will also cut nitrous oxide emissions “by as much as 80%”, it said. All the upgrades will be completed in 2023.

“This is the largest environmental upgrade in Hurtigruten’s history, and one of the largest of its kind in Europe,” said Hedda Felin, Hurtigruten Norway chief executive. 

“This will make a real impact in reducing emissions in Norwegian waters. The fact that such an investment also leads to ripple effects in the local communities along the coast, is something we are very proud of." 

Three of the seven ships will be converted to hybrid power. The first is MS Richard With, currently at Myklebust Yard in north-western Norway, where it is being fitted with new main engines and battery packs. The same will also be done to MS Kong Harald and MS Nordlys.

Three other ships – MS Nordnorge, MS Nordkapp and MS Polarlys – will have SCR emissions control systems installed on board.

The last ship in the fleet, MS Vesteralen, was upgraded with brand new engines and SCR in 2019. 

“Our goal is zero emissions, but the technology is not mature enough yet, and we must do what we can to cut emissions with the best technology available today and extend the service life of the iconic ships we have in our fleet,” Felin said.