Vard designs and construct first electric-hybrid icebreaking cruise vessel
The contract value is approximately NOK 2.7 billion (US$322.5 million). The vessel can accommodate 270 passengers in 135 cabins in addition to a crew of 180 persons. The new type of electric-hybrid cruise icebreaker with liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion has been developed jointly by Ponant, Stirling Design International, Aker Arctic and Vard. The vessel is specially designed to take passengers to polar destinations such as the geographic North Pole. The Polar Class 2 icebreaker will fulfil high standards for environmentally friendly and safe operations. It is the first electric-hybrid cruise icebreaker with dual-fuel propulsion, featuring high-capacity batteries and LNG storage on board. The icebreaker features “Clean Ship” fittings that go beyond the current industry-standard environmental regulations: Reduction of SO2, NOX, CO2 and particle emissions will be possible by using of LNG Zero emissions when in electric-hybrid mode Use of advanced diesel engine technology will enable compliance with new the ne International Maritime Organisation (IMO) 2020 regulation on Sulphur emission levels. It will also be equipped with two helicopters in in-house hangars. The vessel will be about 150m long, 28m wide, and will have a cruising speed of 15 knots in open water. The hull will be built at Vard Tulcea in Romania. Final delivery is scheduled from Vard Soviknes in Norway, in the second quarter of 2021. In addition to the Ponant icebreaker, VARD currently has four other luxury expedition cruise vessels under construction for Ponant.
