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," said Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam.
Featuring large battery packs, the hybrid catamaran will be one of the world’s most flexible electric ships. She can be charged at virtually any port and operate on batteries for 10 hours with a cruising speed of 10 knots.
"A green footprint is the future of the travel industry – in the Polar regions and elsewhere. With a great idea and dedicated partners like Hurtigruten, we have set out to build a ship unlike any the world has seen," said Brim Explorer co-founder and CEO Agnes Árnadóttir.
Brim Explorer’s first vessel - similar to her sister that will operate exclusively under the Hurtigruten Svalbard brand - is currently under construction in Norway.
