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Displaying items by tag: Hurtguten May Go 'Hybrid'

#HurtigrutenHybrid - Hurtigruten, the Norwegian coastal and polar cruise line, has confirmed its ambition to offer expedition voyages on ships powered by battery technology and algae fuel.

“The cruise and the maritime transport industries must accept greater environmental responsibility. Hurtigruten is already strongly committed. Rapid progress also requires appropriate political framework and the obligation from the maritime sector as a whole”, says Hurtigruten’s CEO Daniel Skjeldam from the Paris climate change conference.

To deliver what has been achieved for instance in the car sector in recent years, he calls for brave and innovative politicians. “We need political carrots and sticks to stimulate the market in utilising green technology.”

Hurtigruten has recently partnered with the Bellona Foundation, a Norwegian leading international environmental NGO, to explore how the vison of offering zero emission explorer cruises may materialise.

“We consider Hurtigruten’s reach-out to be a very credible and inspiring expression of their willingness to contribute to achieving the objective of emission-free global shipping and sea travel” says Bellona President Frederic Hauge.

The foundation is working alongside Hurtigruten to conduct a feasibility study to learn more about how the current fleet can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and how in future Hurtigruten hybrid ships can be developed.

Anthony Daniels, Head of sales for UK and Ireland commented “These are exciting times for Hurtigruten. We are an ambitious business with plans for growth, but our goal is to work with the industry to deliver that in a sustainable and responsible way.”

Published in Cruise Liners

About Electric outboard engines

The direct-drive component in electric outboard engines means that the electric motors are incredibly efficient compared to conventional marine combustion motors, operating with considerably higher torque whilst using less power.

Without any need for gears, cooling systems and moving parts the motors are maintenance free, highly efficient and economic to run.

As a result, electric boat engines are becoming more popular on Irish waters as the world transitions from fossil fuels to green energy.

To date, popular electric engine sizes have been trolling engines typically used by fishermen on lakes.

These marine engines are available in models that can be used in fresh water and sea water, for your boat or kayak.

Electric motors are Ideal for fishermen because they are quiet and create little in the way of disturbance 

Popular electric trolling models range from 30lb thrust to 55lb thrust in a range of shaft lengths.

But use is becoming broader now in 2021 and electric outboard engines are being used on small runabouts and RIBS where electric outboard engine sizes are getting bigger.

Outboard electric engines are economical and environmentally friendly. Battery technology is also improving at a rapid rate meaning they are becoming smaller and lighter and run for longer.

Built in hydro-generation provides alternative recharging options whilst under sail are also options meaning the electric outboard now has a home on the stern on small yachts and dayboats too.

As far back as 2014, Torqeedo owner Jack O'Keefe from Cork Harbour told Afloat readers of his sailing adventures in a Drascombe Coaster dinghy and how after swapping from a petrol version the rewards from his new electric outboard engine are less noise, no smells, more stowage, better sailing performance and a motor that can be started by a small child. But it's still not silent, there's a whine he says here 

Popular brands in Ireland are Torqeedo, ePropulsion, Pulsar and Minn Kota but there are more arriving all the time as the technology advances