Hurtigruten Norway has begun work on a series of environmental upgrades to cut emissions across its fleet of seven Coastal Express ships.

The addition of new technology will cut CO2 emissions by 25 per cent and NOx emissions by up to 80 per cent, according to the operator. All upgrades will be completed by 2023.

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

“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.”

Hurtigruten going hybrid

Three of the seven ships will be converted to hybrid ships, starting with MS Richard With, which is currently at the Myklebust Yard, Norway, where it will be fitted with new main engines and battery packs.

The same will also be done on board MS Kong Harald and MS Nordlys.

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

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

Hurtigruten Norway will work with Kongsberg Maritime for the hybrid modifications.

Kongsberg Maritime president Egil Haugsdal added: “Hurtigruten Norway makes sustainable choices for its existing fleet.

“It’s rewarding to work with a company that shares our forward-looking approach to technology and the environment, and not least to work on ships that so many people have a close relationship with.”