Eco-Friendliest Ship
Norway’s new coastal cruise ship, the Havila Capella just won The Next Generation Ship Award, officially making it the world’s most environmentally friendly of its kind. The Havila Voyages CEO with the delightful name of Bent Martini says, “It is with great honor we receive the award for our first ship, Havila Capella.”
Right now, Havila is offering some sweet spring discounts to try the new ship. Solo travelers can count on 50% off and their spring offer of 40% off. While the ship is designed as a link to Norway’s coastal communities, the new accommodations and dining rooms are so luxurious, journeying on this ship is equivalent to a more than comfortable cruise through some of the world’s most dramatic scenery. Check out this 12-day, 34-port voyage that includes crossing the Arctic Circle. The ship can accommodate 640 passengers in 179 cabins.
And this is just the first eco-friendly coastal cruiser the company plans to launch. “We are looking forward to welcoming three identical ships later this year,” says Martini, “forming an integral part of everyday traffic on the historical coastal route between Bergen and Kirkenes. Sustainability should mirror everything we do from ship design and all other operations, and this is a challenge we do not take lightly. To be awarded with this valuable recognition from the industry is therefore a prestigious moment and proof of that Havila Voyages’ highly innovative ship technology is a frontrunner towards the green transition of eco-cruiser ships.”
The ship’s groundbreaking technology allows her to sail with zero emissions. It’s a plug-in hybrid ship with the world’s largest battery packs designed for passenger ships. The battery pack weigh 86 tons. The batteries allow her to sail for four hours without noise and emissions, meaning she can sail quietly and sustainably through world heritage fjords and pristine surroundings along the Norwegian coastline. It cost more than 500 million NOK to make the ship environmentally friendly, and the battery packs are just one of several measures that cut NOx emissions by around 90 per cent and CO2 emissions by around 25 per cent. In addition, the ships are built to run on biogas, a practically carbon neutral biofuel. The ship is also prepared to run on hydrogen or ammonia, truly a ship built for the future.
Cuisine aboard ship is first and foremost sustainable. There are no buffets. Guests can enjoy a highly personal Norwegian culinary experience with handpicked Norwegian ingredients from local producers, and a target of maximum 75 grams daily food waste per guest. The concept cuts food waste by a total of 15 tons per ship per year, and to make the ship even more efficient, it has a waste energy recovery system that will make use of the 65 % of fuel energy that is normally lost through the exhaust and cooling water systems.
“It is common knowledge that while fossil fuels will be with us for years to come, there must be a transition to cleaner, more efficient alternatives and the winning vessel is for the moment, powered by the cleanest fossil fuel currently available – LNG, but it is intended for future transition to hydrogen when technology and availability permit” says the jury statement from Nor-Shipping, the organization that awarded the ship with these honours.
“Norway`s quiet and unspoiled nature, clean water and fresh air is worth taking care of, both for us and the future generations. Because of that, we are focused on green solutions – for those who follow us to be able to experience the same” says Bent Martini.
