EMEA News
Hurtigruten Christens New Bunker Saving Polar Cruise Ship
Norway-based cruise operator Hurtigruten AS (Hurtigruten) has christened its new explorer ship MS Spitsbergen, which the company says has recently received technical improvements to reduce emissions and fuel consumption, and make it "environmentally-friendly"
The 7,344 tonne vessel, which was christened in Svolvær, Lofoten, has a speed of 17.1 knots, and has been adapted to conduct sailings in polar waters.
The vessel is slated for service along the Norwegian coast for the 2016/2017 season, after which the vessel will alternate between the Norwegian coast and polar expeditions.
Beginning in May 2017 the vessel will be employed between Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe and Shetland Islands, and the Canadian Arctic.
Hurtigruten is said to be planning to add two more ships to its fleet – MS Richard With and MS Midnatsol.
In April, Hurtigruten expressed intentions of transitioning to vessels with dual battery-bio fuel propulsion.
