Hurtigruten has become the first cruise line to sail using bioneutral liquefied biogas (LBG) without fossil fuels. This initiative follows a partnership with Norway-based Biokraft, in an agreement spanning more than seven years to supply LBG and provide the ships with electricity using fuel made from organic waste. The introduction of biogas as a fuel represents a significant step forward for the cruise industry, contributing to environmental sustainability.
According to Daniel Skjeldam, CEO of Hurtigruten: “This is a great and significant step for Hurtigruten, for Biokraft, for green solutions in the global shipping industry and, most importantly, for the environment.”
Renewable biogas is a clean energy source, considered the most environmentally friendly fuel currently available, and is already used in other transport sectors, such as buses. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), biogas derived from waste is 179% renewable.
Hurtigruten, a world leader in exploration voyages, will replace conventional engines with large gas engines and batteries on at least six of its ships by 2021. The hybrid vessels will run on a combination of clean electricity, natural gas (LNG), and biogas (LBG).
Northern Europe and Norway, which have large fishing and forestry sectors that produce a constant volume of organic waste, have a unique opportunity to become world leaders in biogas production.
“What others see as a problem, we see as a resource and a solution. While other operators run on heavy, cheap, and polluting fuel oil, our ships will be literally powered by nature. Biogas is the cleanest fuel in maritime transport, a no-brainer for us and a huge advantage for the environment. We would love for other cruise lines to follow suit,” says Daniel Skjeldam.
The agreement between Hurtigruten and Biokraft, the world's largest producer of LBG, represents a revolution for the sector.
According to Håvard Wollan, CEO of Biokraft, “We are proud to partner with Hurtigruten, as it is a major step towards green and sustainable shipping. It is very encouraging to see Hurtigruten once again demonstrating its position as the world’s greenest cruise line, leading by example by introducing biogas as a fuel in the shipping industry. Norway has a long history as one of the world’s leading maritime nations and has relied on the oceans for generations. Our oceans are currently under pressure from climate change and pollution, and this is what we are working to change with our partners like Hurtigruten.”
Hurtigruten has already become the leading cruise company in environmental awareness and sustainability with the introduction of its "Hurtigruten Plastic Free" initiative, which involved eliminating all single-use plastics last July. Now, with this second initiative—partnering with Biokraft to introduce biogas and sail without fossil fuels—it will boast one of the greenest fleets in the entire cruise industry.
