Daniel Skjeldam News

HX Appoints New CCO

HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) has announced Alex Delamere-White’s official appointment as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), following six months as acting interim CCO.Based out of the new HX HQ in London, Delamere-White will bring the global functions under one leadership model to further fuel HX’s long-term growth plans, including newly evolved roles for Nathaniel Sherborne and Jim Sayer. Sayer is appointed to SVP Global Marketing bringing together the global marketing functions under his leadership.

Volvo Penta to Power Hurtigruten Hybrid Vessel

Hurtigruten Svalbard said it has teamed up with Volvo Penta to test a new hybrid vessel that will allow guests to experience the wonders of the Arctic archipelago without disturbing the habitat around them.The near-silent, Marell M15 cruiser called Kvitbjørn (polar bear in English) will allow for fully electric operation in the environmentally sensitive waters around Svalbard, which is hugely popular with nature-loving adventure travelers. Hurtigruten Svalbard plans to test the…

Hurtigruten's New Cruise Ship Named 'Next to the North Pole'

Hurtigruten Expeditions’ new battery-hybrid powered MS Fridtjof Nansen has made history with the northernmost naming ceremony for a passenger ship—at the location where expedition cruising began in 1896.At latitude 78˚ North in Longyearbyen, Svalbard—often dubbed “next to the North Pole”—the local community joined the celebrations of one of the world’s greenest and most advanced cruise ships.“We are thrilled to celebrate more than 125 years of exploration and adventure travel where it all began.

Hurtigruten Says Fleet Upgrades will Slash Emissions by 25%

Hurtigruten Group said green upgrades for its entire fleet of Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express ships—including batteries, shore power and biofuel—will reduce CO2 emissions by least 25% and NOx emissions by 80% as the Norwegian passenger vessel operator continues its journey toward totally emissions-free vessel operations.Already fitted with shore-power connectivity to fully eliminate emissions when connected in port, the seven Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express ships will be retrofitted with a combination of technologies and solutions specially adapted for each individual ship…

Hurtigruten Halts Cruises After Coronavirus Outbreak

Norwegian cruise line Hurtigruten is halting all its so-called expedition cruises until further notice following an outbreak of COVID-19 on one of its vessels last week, the company said on Monday.At least 41 passengers and crew from the MS Roald Amundsen have so far tested positive for the coronavirus, while hundreds more have been told to self-isolate for 10 days, public health officials said.“A preliminary evaluation shows a breakdown in several of our internal procedures,” Chief Executive Daniel Skjeldam said in a statement.“Our own failure…

SMM 2021: Plotting a Course Forward for the Global Maritime Community

As the maritime world collectively feels its way forward in a time now defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizers of the SMM in Hamburg, traditionally the world's largest and most influential maritime and shipbuilding trade event, share market overview insights on the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic throughout the the shipping industry.The Covid-19 pandemic has turned the world economy on its head. “The recession this year will likely be more severe, and recovery in 2021 will be slower than we anticipated two months ago…

Hurtigruten Aims to Resume Operations from Mid-June

Expedition cruise operator Hurtigruten extended an operational pause for its fleet of small, custom built ships until June 15, but hopes to gradually restart cruises from mid-June as restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic begin to ease.Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam, said, "There is still a lot of uncertainty in what the next weeks and months will bring. However, we do see international restrictions gradually being lifted. Step by step, the pandemic is being brought under control.

Hurtigruten Names World's 1st Hybrid Expedition Ship

The world's first hybrid electric-powered expedition ship and newest member of the Hurtigruten fleet, MS Roald Amundsen, was officially named in Antarctica.The ceremony took place in Chiriguano Bay on Brabant Island - and instead of a traditional champagne bottle, godmother Karin Strand opted for a chunk of ice.According to the Norwegean cruise company, the ship will offer itineraries across the Antarctic. It was named after iconic polar explorer Roald Amundsen who led the first expeditions to the likes of the Northern Passage, the South Pole, and the first proven expedition to have reached the North Pole."We could not think of a better location than Antarctica to name MS Roald Amundsen," said Daniel Skjeldam, chief executive officer of Hurtigruten.

​Hurtigruten Intros eSled Snowmobiles

Norwegian shipping company Hurtigruten has announced a partnership between Hurtigruten’s land-based adventure travel company Hurtigruten Svalbard, and the Finnish start-up company, Aurora Powertrains.The agreement is an industry first for snowmobiles, and starts a new era of silent and emission-free exploration by snowmobiling.“Exploring some of the most pristine areas of our planet has never been eco-friendlier. We firmly believe the future of travel is emission-free. Introducing electrical solutions in our land-based operations and activities is a major step in this direction; with the introduction of eSleds, Hurtigruten Svalbard once again leads the way with groundbreaking green technology…

First Hybrid Cruise Ship Sails Northwest Passage

Norwegian cruise, ferry and cargo operator Hurtigruten announced that its new expedition cruise ship MS Roald Amundsen became the first battery-hybrid powered ship to ever traverse the legendary Northwest Passage last week.As MS Roald Amundsen arrived in Nome, Alaska on September 10, 2019, Captain Kai Albrigtsen made a monumental entry in the ship’s logbook: The first complete crossing of the more than 3,000 nautical miles passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific, by hybrid propulsion.“Every expedition cruise with Hurtigruten is unique, yet this green milestone is literally making history with our guests. Only a few years ago, building cruise ships with battery packs was considered impossible…

Hurtigruten Hybrid Completes NW Passage Trip

This week, Hurtigruten’s expedition cruise ship MS Roald Amundsen wrote a new chapter in exploration history – the first battery-hybrid powered ship to traverse the Northwest Passage.As the MS Roald Amundsen arrived Nome, Alaska, in the evening of September 10, captain Kai Albrigtsen could make a monumental entry in the ship’s logbook: The first complete passage of the more than 3.000 nautical miles passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific, by hybrid propulsion."Every expedition cruise with Hurtigruten is unique, yet this green milestone is literally making history with our guests.

Wärtsilä to Support Hurtigruten’s Green Push

The technology group Wärtsilä will supply a broad scope of solutions that will support Hurtigruten, the world’s largest expedition cruise operator, in its push for greener and more sustainable shipping.Hurtigruten is converting an additional three vessels to become premium, hybrid powered expedition cruise ships. The order with Wärtsilä was placed in Q2 2019 and covers the ‘MS Finnmarken’, the first of the three vessels to be upgraded. Following the conversion project, the 140 metre…

Hurtigruten Trio Due for Hybrid Power Upgrades

Three vessels lined up for large-scale makeovers will be transformed to hybrid powered expedition cruise ships, owner and operator Hurtigruten announced.Equipped with battery packs and other green technology, the three ships will operate year-round expedition cruises along the Norwegian coast from 2021 on yet to be disclosed itineraries.This means Hurtigruten – which this summer introduced hybrid powered cruise ship, MS Roald Amundsen – will add another three hybrid powered vessels to its fleet of cruise ships.As they are transformed into full-fledged premium expedition cruise ships…

First Hybrid Cruise Ship to be Named in Antarctica

Hybrid powered expedition cruise ship MS Roald Amundsen continues to make history – as Hurtigruten has announced the first ever ship naming ceremony in Antarctica. Instead of the traditional bottle of champagne, MS Roald Amundsen’s explorer heritage will be honored by naming the vessel with a chunk of ice.The naming ceremony will take place this fall, as the first world’s first hybrid powered cruise ship makes her way to the white continent on her maiden Antarctica voyage."We…

Hurtigruten Inks 'Rotten Fish' Biogas Deal

As the global marine industry aggressively moves to reduce emissions from ships, and Norway in particular has thrown down the gauntlet of zero emission cruise ships in certain fjords along its scenic coast, Norwegian cruise ship operator Hurtigruten has signed a 7.5-year deal to buy liquefied biogas (LBG) made from dead fish and other organic waste to help power its vessels.Under the contract with Biokraft, Hurtigruten ships will start receiving near-daily supplies of LBG, with…

Hurtigruten Intros Electric Catamaran

Norwegian expedition cruise operator Hurtigruten has partnered with the Norwegian startup Brim Explorer, introducing battery powered catamarans custom built for Polar water exploration.Debuting in the spring of 2020, the 24-meter vessel will operate a variety of daily silent and sustainable ocean excursions from her homeport Longyearbyen on the Arctic island of Svalbard - operating under the Hurtigruten Svalbard brand."Brim and Hurtigruten found each other through our common passion for the oceans. Their vision to change the way people experience the Arctic is a perfect match to our bold sustainability ambitions. We firmly believe the future of travel is emission-free…

Cruise Shipping: 'Green Cruising' with Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten orders third hybrid-powered expedition cruise shipGrowth in the global cruise sector continues, as Hurtigruten, the world’s largest expedition cruise operator, signed an MOU with shipbuilder Kleven Verft AS for the construction of a third hybrid-powered expedition cruise ship. Tom Mulligan, Maritime Reporter’s Science & Technology writer, reports from Norway.“We are thrilled to introduce yet another revolutionary hybrid-powered expedition ship,” enthused Hurtigruten’s CEO, Daniel Skjeldam.

'Dead Fish' to Power Cruise Ship

As shipowners globally explore new means to cut emissions and stay competitive, Norway's Hurtigruten has a potential solutione: Dead fish and other organic waste as fuel for its 17-vessel fleet of green cruise ships.Courtesy of its Norwegian heritage, Hurtigruten is already one of the world’s largest expedition cruise line, heavily invested in green technology to better serve the pristine aquatic environments where it conducts its business.As the maritime world looks to the IMO mandate to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050…

Rotten Fish to Help Power Hurtigruten Cruise Ships

The Nordic region's most high-profile cruise fleet operator is refitting its ships to make them less polluting, and plans to use a byproduct of rotten fish to help power their new, leaner engines.Norway's Hurtigruten, best known for the ships that ferry tourists along the country's fjords and coastline and up into the Arctic, is investing 7 billion crowns ($826 million) over three years to adapt its 17-strong fleet.Six of its older vessels will be retrofitted to run on a combination of liquefied natural gas (LNG)…

Hurtigruten expands to Alaska

Hurtigruten is to expand Alaska sailings in 2020 by deploying new hybrid-powered MS Roald Amundsen in the region.The Norwegian expedition cruise specialist, who claims to be  the world’s greenest and most extensive expedition cruise program, said that this new location adds to the company's expanding cruise program, which offers more than 250 worldwide destinations in the 2020/2021 season.Hurtigruten will run a series of seven voyages covering the highlights of the Inside Passage combined with off the beaten path destinations rarely visited by other cruise lines such as Petersburg.The inaugural season of the ground-breaking hybrid powered and eco-friendly MS Fridtjof Nansen – exploring the unspoiled and raw beauty of Antarctica…

Up to Nine Hurtigruten Ships Will Switch to Hybrid Power

Norwegian cruise ferry operator Hurtigruten has signed a Letter of Intent with Rolls-Royce to upgrade up to nine vessels to hybrid power.The main engines on up to nine cruise ships will switch from diesel to gas power, and the upgrade will also include installation of a hybrid battery system.The deal comprises the supply of equipment to six existing passenger cruise vessels, with an option for a further three. The ships will completely change their power system with the installation of new Rolls-Royce liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines as part of a new hybrid system.

‘World’s Greenest Cruise Ship’ Construction Underway

Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam pressed the button to officially kick off the construction of hybrid expedition cruise ship MS Roald Amundsen – “the greenest cruise ship the world has ever seen,” according to the ship owner. The new ship is the first of a new generation that will change expedition travel forever, Skjeldam said during the ceremony at Kleven Yards on the western coast of Norway. When launched in 2018, MS Roald Amundsen will be the world’s first expedition cruise ship powered by hybrid battery technology.

Investors Give Kleven a Boost

A group of investors has pumped nearly $40 million into Norwegian shipbuilder Kleven. Norwegian cruise, ferry and cargo operator Hurtigruten and its owners, Petter A. Stordalen and TDR, will be the largest partner in the newly established company, with a 40 percent share. Current owners, John Kleven AS and H-Invest AS are bringing new funds to the company. Additional investors include Åge Remøy and Magnus Roth's InYard Invest, Lürssen-Group, and Per Lillebø. "It has been important for us to bring in new investors with an industrial…