Delivery marks next stage for LNG and battery power in Norwegian waters
It has been a difficult journey, but one man’s determination to provide passenger access to a World Heritage site using LNG fuel engines and battery power point to a sustainable future for the cruise ship market
Tersan Shipyard took up two newbuilding orders, originally contracted to Spain (source: Tersan Shipyard) - Riviera Maritime Media
Designed by HAV Ship Design and built under the supervision of DNV, the new LNG-powered Havila passenger vessels Havila Pollux and Havila Polaris, delivered to Norwegian operator Havila Kystruten in Q3 2023, were built at the Tersan Shipyard in Turkey.
Like the first two passenger vessels in the series, Havila Capella and Havila Castor, these ships feature a combination of 86-tonne battery packs and liquefied natural gas-only (not dual-fuel) engines; each vessel reduces CO2 emissions by up to 35% and local emissions (NOx and SOx) by 90% compared to those running on traditional fossil fuels.
Providing high energy efficiency and complying with the low-emissions requirements of Norway, each vessel has a 6,100 kWh battery capacity allowing them to operate emissions-free for up to four hours in the fossil fuel-free World Heritage fjords of coastal Norway.
“Providing high energy efficiency and complying with the low-emissions requirements of Norway, each vessel has a 6,100 kWh battery capacity allowing them to operate emissions-free for up to four hours”
Tersan Shipyard intended only to build the first two vessels in the series, Havila Capella and Havila Castor, and that is not the only change that took place to the 2018 contract, according to Havila Voyages chairman and main shareholder, Per Sævik.
"Since we were awarded the contract, we have faced strong headwinds, gale-force winds and even hurricanes," he said.