Norwegian cruise venture Northern Xplorer has signed a letter of intent with Portuguese shipbuilder West Sea to construct what the company says will be the world’s first zero-emission cruise ship.
Under the deal, West Sea would build the 250-passenger vessel at its facility in Viana do Costello north of Porto, with expected delivery at the start of the 2025/2026 cruise season.
The vessel’s design by Multi Maritime features ABB’s fully electric propulsion system, including the battery and hydrogen fuel cell technology that will enable it to sail emissions-free in the Norwegian fjords and further afield as the green shift takes root.
Northern Xplorer has worked with Oslo-based Affinity Offshore to source the right shipyard, while Clarksons Securities will assist the company as lead manager on the project. Oslo-based business law firm Grønvigh, Tjersland & Indrevær was central to creating the LoI, which was signed at this year’s maritime trade fair SMM in Hamburg.
Sandvik previously commissioned the hybrid-electric sightseeing vessels Vision of the Fjords, built in 2016 and Future of the Fjords built in 2018 in his former role as founder and CEO of tourism company The Fjords. Both vessels won the Ship of the Year at SMM in their respective delivery years.
Tags: ABB, CruiseShip, Northern Xplorer, West Sea, Zero Emission
Recent Posts
Tata Steel achieves B24 biofuel voyage from Australia to India
Scientists synthesised material that can absorb Greenhouse Gases
First carbon removal plant in world comes online in Iceland
FIS proposes hydrogen as fuel for fishing vessels
WinGD bags order for world’s first ammonia dual-fuel tankers
ClassNK explores alternative fuel paths
Hydrogen fuel of future: Gadkari
Classification societies on new fuels pathway