EMEA News
Fjords' Zero Emission Electric Newbuild Highlighted at Nor-Shipping
Nor-Shipping last week announced that Fjords DA (Fjords) is building an all electric and completely emission free sister ship to the company's diesel-electric plug-in hybrid vessel, Vision of the Fjords.
The new vessel, named Future of the Fjords, is currently under construction at Brødrene Aa (Brødrene), and is set to launch in April 2018.
"Under the skin this new craft is a different beast," explained Fjords' CEO Rolf Sandvik.
"Vision of the Fjords switches from diesel to electric power when entering the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Nærøyfjord. It represented an important step forward on our journey to transform tourism in this delicate natural wonderland, but this new ship is, quite simply, our dream come true. It marks the fulfilment of a vision."
The DNV GL classed "light craft" is set to be propelled by two 300kW electric motors, enabling cruising speeds of 16 knots between Flåm and Gudvangen.
Development of the required charging infrastructure for the vessel is said to be in the early stages at local supplier local supplier Aurland Energiverk.
Future of the Fjords is set to cost NOK 144 million ($17.04 million), which is a notable increase from the NOK 90 million ($10.65 million) cost of Vision of the Fjords.
Enova - an organisation that promotes low emission solutions that is backed by Norway's Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, has provided NOK 17.8 million to support the project.
"This is a big and important leap forward in the ongoing maritime battery revolution, with The Fjords now taking us one step closer to an emission-free transport sector," said Petter Hersleth, Enova Marketing Manager.
"We believe that Future of the Fjords will help inspire the travel industry to adopt battery-powered vessels faster, both here in Norway and abroad."
