Unlike its predecessor, the 42mtr long carbon fibre vessel will be all electric and completely emission free.
Currently under construction at Norway's Brødrene Aa, the new vessel, named Future of the Fjords, launches in April 2018.
It will offer up to 400 passengers panoramic views of the Western Norwegian fjords, with a guaranteed 1mtr each of railing on deck for a ‘front row’ experience
of nature.
But it’s there, according to The Fjords ceo Rolf Sandvik, that the similarities stop.
'Under the skin this new craft is a different beast,' Sandvik explains.
'Vision of the Fjords switches from diesel to electric power when entering the UNESCO World Heritage listed Nærøyfjord whereas the new DNV GL
classed craft will be propelled by two 300kW electric motors, enabling cruising speeds of 16 knots along the fjord route between Flåm and Gudvangen.'
Future of the Fjords will cost around USS17m with Enova, an organization promoting low emission solutions and backed by the Norwegian Ministry of
Petroleum and Energy, providing NKr 17.8m to help the project come to fruition, said Sandvik.
Norwegian-headquartered environmental campaigner Bellona is also supporting the project. Frederic Hauge, Bellona’s founder and president, commented: 'In the future tourists coming to see our pristine nature will not accept anything less than emission-free experiences.'
The Fjords operates seven tourist ships in the Western Norwegian fjords, and cruise passengers arriving in Flam this year will be able to sightsee on Vision of the Fjords.
