VUE

e MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen are setting a new standard in maritime travel. e ships will deliver exceptional comfort to all passengers by offering amenities of superb quality. e ship's interior design resembles the magnificent waters and landscapes of each destination, complemented with a modern, Scandinavian twist. Guests will also find an abundance of natural materials such as granite, oak, birch, wool, and leather. Both ships will display various observation platforms for visitors to take in the sweeping views of wildlife and glaciers. Numerous staterooms have access to generous ocean views and several suites are equipped with private balconies. e elite ships are not complete without luxurious dining options. e vessels feature three restaurants with menus that highlight local flavors. Lastly, decks with infinity pools, hot tubs, and cocktail bars are scattered throughout the frame of the hull to enhance every guest's experience. Hurtigruten's decision to invest in hybrid vessels is a notable milestone in its history. e MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen will be the world's first expedition ships with true hybrid propulsion. e contract with Kleven Yards includes the construction of both ships, each containing a total capacity of approximately 600 passengers each and includes the potential construction of two additional ships in the future. MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen will be constructed in two phases, where each are expected to debut in 2019 and 2020 respectively. e first ship, MS Roald Amundsen, will be equipped with an auxiliary electric engine that allows it to reduce fuel consumption and CO 2 -emissions by 20 percent—that is more than 3,000 metric tons of CO 2 per year compared to traditional ships (the equivalent of about 2,500 new cars). e second ship, MS Fridtjof Nansen, will be built with a complete hybrid engine that can muscle the entire ship for longer periods of time and across greater distances. Hurtigruten is expected to invest 124 million NOK ($14,972,500 USD) in the new technology. Alongside Hurtigruten, the Norwegian government enterprise focused on environmentally-friendly production and consumption of energy, Enova, will contributing 45.1 million NOK ($5,433,300 USD) to the project. e commission of MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen represents the largest single investment in the history of Hurtigruten. "Hurtigruten's growing fleet of custom built expedition ships takes our guests to some of the world's most spectacular destinations," Skjeldam says. "From the majestic wildlife on Svalbard, the rugged ords of Eastern Greenland and the beauty of the Norwegian coast to the untouched wilderness of Antarctica. Nowhere else comes close." V U E N J . C O M 77

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