Karl WP Beyer July 12, 2019 - The Roald Amundsen, Hurtigruten's hybrid expedition ship, will be christened with ice in the Antarctic in autumn 2019. The cruise ship, named after the Norwegian polar hero Roald Amundsen, can glide through the fairway for a short time only with the power of stored electrical energy.
Yesterday, Thursday, the Roald Amundsen, one of the most environmentally friendly cruise ships, moored at the Cruise Center Hamburg Altona. The hybrid expedition ship, designed for 530 passengers, was developed for missions in the Arctic and Antarctic. In addition to the indispensable internal combustion engines, it has a battery unit that moves the ship for a short time with electric power alone.
Hybrid ship MS Roald Amundsen © Photo Hurtigruten
Before that happens, however, the diesel engines have to generate electricity for the 120 lithium-ion batteries. The powerful battery pack should last for half an hour. That's not a lot: Still, it's a huge step forward for critical Arctic and Antarctic regions. The hybrid drive cuts fuel consumption and emissions. The shipping company's target is 20 percent fewer pollutants.
Otherwise the ship is flawless. The on-board water treatment system only releases absolutely pure water into the environment. The Roald Amundsen can take shore power and also shines in small things: For example, there are no plastic cups on board.
Hybrid ship MS Roald Amundsen © Photo Hurtigruten
As far as is known so far, the 265 cabins have been comfortably designed in a Nordic design. Art objects hang in the corridors and the Aune restaurant is well-balanced. Additional features include a state-of-the-art science center, large viewing platforms, an infinity pool, a panoramic sauna, a wellness center, three restaurants, bars and an explorer lounge.
For now, Roald Amundsen offers expedition sea voyages along the Norwegian coast. Other destinations are Spitzbergen and Greenland. A complete crossing of the Northwest Passage is then planned. On this route the ship follows in the footsteps of the namesake Roald Amundsen.
This is followed by expedition sea voyages along the west coast of North and South America. Those areas are visited that the larger cruise ships do not call at. The ship spends the entire 2019/2020 Antarctic season in the extreme south of the globe.
