ROTTEN FISH FUEL

One of the leading cruise fleet operators in the Nordic region is refitting its ships to reduce pollution, and also planning to use a by-product of rotten fish to help power new engines.

Hurtigruten is investing GBP 3 billion over the next three years to adapt six of its older vessels to use a combination of liquefied bio gas (produced from dead fish and other organic waste), liquefied natural gas and electric batteries.

CEO Daniel Skjeldam said: “What others see as a problem, we see as a resource and a solution. By introducing biogas as fuel for cruise ships, Hurtigruten will be the first cruise company to power ships with fossil-free fuel.

“Renewable biogas is a clean source of energy, [and is] considered the most eco-friendly fuel currently available. Biogas is already used as fuel in small parts of the transport sector, especially in buses.

“Northern Europe and Norway, which has large fishery and forestry sectors that produce a steady volume of organic waste, have a unique opportunity to become world leaders in biogas production.

“Our ships will literally be powered by nature. Biogas is the greenest fuel in shipping, and [its use] will be a huge advantage for the environment.”

Hurtigruten celebrated its 125th anniversary by becoming the first cruise line to ban single-use plastic. And it is currently building three hybrid-powered cruise ships, with MS Roald Amundsen due to be delivered this year and MS Fridtjof Nansen and a third, so far unnamed sister, set to arrive in 2020 and 2021 respectively.