Norwegian Group Contemplates Constructing Comprehensive Hydrogen Infrastructure for Hydrogen-Powered Cruise Vessel, Northern Xplorer AS
A new Norwegian consortium, consisting of Northern Xplorer AS, Norwegian Hydrogen AS, HYON AS, Multi Maritime AS, and Hexagon Purus Maritime AS, is planning to develop a complete hydrogen value chain for Northern Xplorer AS's first zero-emission cruise ship.
The consortium aims to use fuel cells and electric propulsion in the ship, as well as provide pollution-free hydrogen to the wider maritime market. The shipbuilder for Northern Xplorer AS's maiden vessel is West Sea, and delivery is scheduled for the start of the 2025/2026 cruise season.
The development project is for Northern Xplorer AS's first zero-emission cruise ship, which will be powered by fuel cells and electric propulsion. The new ship will use hydrogen as an energy source, a decision that Rolf A Sandvik, CEO of Northern Xplorer AS, believes will allow cruise ships to continue accessing vulnerable regions like Norway's world heritage fjords, which will be closed to ships burning fossil fuels from 2026.
The consortium's development project is scheduled to be completed by February 1, 2023. In addition to the Norwegian project, other regions, both in Norway and elsewhere, are expected to follow suit in future with similar regulations.
Northern Xplorer AS has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Portuguese shipbuilder West Sea for the construction of its maiden vessel. The new cruise ship's hydrogen will be provided by the consortium for pollution-free use in the wider maritime market.
The new development is a significant step towards a greener maritime industry, with the potential to set a precedent for other regions to follow. The consortium's ambition is not only to create a zero-emission cruise ship but also to contribute to a cleaner maritime ecosystem.
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