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Updated: Hurtigruten matches modern values with Norwegian heritage

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 13 October 2023 13 October 2023

Between 1968 and 1982, Hurtigruten’s ‘Svalbard Express’ provided a vital connection for people and post between mainland Norway and the Svalbard archipelago. This year, the shipowner has revived the iconic route, but this time with a focus on cruising between Bergen and Longyearbyen, and an itinerary matched by both modern comfort and authenticity aboard the newly refurbished ship Trollfjord.

In the intervening 40 years, passenger shipping has changed significantly: today, in addition to different expectations on comfort, cuisine and shipboard services, sustainability is a factor in every decision. For Hurtigruten, upholding responsibility to the planet and its inhabitants has long been a principle for vessel design, construction, design and operation.

For guests, ‘the environment’ is already front and centre along the Svalbard Express route, where the rugged landscapes and rich heritage of the Norwegian coastline are experienced from the comfort of Trollfjord.

The principles of conservation and sustainability have been central to the design of Hurtigruten’s interior spaces. The owner’s objective is for Trollfjord guests to experience Norway not only through breathtaking views and unique excursions but also through the expertly implemented design elements that bring the vessel’s identity to life.

Tasked with conceiving and developing multiple spaces on board Trollfjord – including the main restaurants, cabins, and suites – YSA Design incorporated hard-wearing, responsibly sourced materials from the surrounding environment. The use of organic local resources also helps to establish a meaningful connection between the ship and its setting.

A prominent feature of Trollfjord’s design direction are the patterns, textures and artistic flourishes inspired ny the indigenous Sámi people, whose communities inhabit several parts of Scandinavia including much of the region covered on the ship’s sailing route.

Traditionally, Sámi manufacture items for everyday use from raw materials available in their surroundings, and in designing Trollfjord’s casual dining venue, Brasserie Árran, YSA echoed this approach through the use of natural elements like wood, leather and reindeer hide. These are complemented by woven textiles and traditional crafts, which add further detail and cultural significance to the space by telling stories of the region’s rich history.

Even while artfully paying homage to Sámi and Norwegian heritage, Brasserie Árran embodies the elegance of contemporary Scandinavian design: the space is uncluttered and yet intricately adorned; sophisticated yet cosy and familiar. With gentle lighting, earthy tones and subtle scents helping to transmit a sense of warmth and hygge, the interior is sharply juxtaposed with the vessel’s dramatic backdrop and the cool, bright light of the midnight sun.

Providing a more exclusive and immersive dining experience, Trollfjord’s à-la-carte restaurant, Røst, at once celebrates Norway’s culinary excellence and mirrors its coastal setting. The venue’s carefully curated menu adds a contemporary twist to ingredients handpicked from the local environment, such as fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables. In a similar vein, YSA Design’s painstaking materials selection combines sophisticated modern touches with subdued natural tones reminiscent of coastal and underwater ecosystems. Seaweed not only features on diners’ plates but also influences the colour palette and décor: dark greens, organic textures and subtle patterns conjure images of a marine algae that grows abundantly along Scandinavia’s rocky shores.

At the heart of Røst is an open kitchen offering guests insight into the skill and creativity with which raw ingredients are transformed into culinary works of art. Opposite the galley are floor-to-ceiling windows granting unobscured views of either the Norwegian and Barents Sea or the country’s awe-inspiring coastline, depending on the direction of travel. When the curtains are drawn, the space is illuminated by copper pendant lamps whose metallic sheen enhances the refined contemporary aesthetic while offering a subtle nod to Hurtigruten’s nautical heritage.

Trollfjord’s combination of tradition, modernity and nature extends to the private suites. Here, the influence of Sámi artwork is evident in the furnishings and fittings. Materials including wool and wood emphasise the focus on sustainability, with earthy tones evoking the surrounding landscape and generating an elegant yet warm ambience. Again, decorative elements complement the overall aesthetic and bring to mind Norway’s seafaring culture and coastal landscapes.

Adjacent to the bedroom is a seating area complete with sofa, chairs and coffee table. If the comfortable furniture provides a homely feel, the unrestricted views from the bay windows remind guests that this is no ordinary setting for their morning coffee.

For Trollfjord, YSA Design has drawn on its considerable expertise to fulfil the expectations of the modern cruise audience; celebrate the culture and artistry of a local people; embody the sustainability values of the ship owner; and honour and revitalise an icon of Norwegian maritime history.

Written by Fabiana Vale Dornelas, Senior Interior Architect and Head of Sustainability & Implementation, YSA Design

Elomatic chosen to improve the energy efficiency of Crown Seaways cruise ferry

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 11 October 2023 11 October 2023

The Denmark based transport and logistics company DFDS has selected Elomatic to develop and deliver its Elogrid solution on the Crown Seaways cruise ferry, to improve energy efficiency and reduce its carbon emissions. Crown Seaways ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel which currently operates on the Denmark-Norway ferry route Copenhagen-Oslo.

DFDS will manage the installation of Elogrids during the annual drydocking at Fayard, which takes place in January 2024. Additionally, a specialist from Elomatic will supervise the operation on-site to ensure top-quality work and the smooth assembly of the complex structure.

The Elogrid tunnel thruster, which can be retrofitted onto a wide variety of vessels, reduces the additional resistance and, as a result, fuel consumption of ships. The solution will also help DFDS enhance the performance of its tunnel thrusters, resulting in better maneuverability. Additionally, it will reduce noise and vibrations throughout the entire vessel, meaning a better overall experience for passengers, a smoother journey, and an increased lifespan for onboard equipment.

Elogrid emphasizes how design expertise and resources are essential to tackling the decarbonization challenge. In general, the solution makes an immediate impact on the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) of vessels with fuel savings up to 4%, depending on the vessel design and speed. This also means a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Equipping tunnel thrusters with Elogrids typically repays itself within 6–18 months. Elogrid showcases Elomatic's profound expertise in flow modeling, serving as a prime illustration of our multi-disciplinary competencies across various sectors.

The partnership represents a major milestone in Elomatic’s strategic development. The Finnish engineering company is expanding its business by designing solutions that increase environmental and human wellbeing, whilst also improving the competitiveness of its customers.

“Our Elogrid solution significantly reduces water resistance and fuel consumption from ships, and demonstrates how even a small piece of equipment, developed using advanced modelling, can deliver a valuable impact on GHG emissions. It is an honor to have been chosen by DFDS S/A to support them on their energy efficiency and decarbonization initiatives, and we are confident that our partnership will continue to flourish in the near future," commented Guido Schulte, Sales Director for Elomatic’s Marine & Offshore Energy.

“We are committed to reducing our impact on the climate. In the short term, improving our existing fleet and making it pollute less and be more efficient is a focus area - even at smaller scales. To this end the Elogrid solution supports the efficiency of Crown Seaways and will reduce fuel consumption with around 1 % and hence support our green transition journey," says Moshe Poulsen, Superintendent and responsible for the vessel and the docking.

The Elomatic scope involves the design, manufacturing, and installation supervision of four grids for two tunnels on the Crown Seaways. This includes project management, concept design, performance analysis, basic design for authority approvals, when necessary, detailed design for manufacturing and assembling the Elogrids, procurement, overseeing the manufacturing process, coordinating the delivery of the Elogrids, and finally, providing on-site installation supervision.

Crown Seaways of DFDS. Photo credit: Teijo Niemela

Vow's subsidiary Scanship secures Euro 3.7 million order for advanced wastewater purification systems

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 09 October 2023 09 October 2023

Vow ASA (VOW) has announced that its subsidiary, Scanship, has received a significant order worth Euro 3.7 million. The order entails the delivery of advanced wastewater purification systems for two cruise newbuilds.

This contract represents the exercise of an option for a larger newbuild series at a prominent European shipyard on behalf of a major shipowner. Scanship will be responsible for supplying its cutting-edge wastewater purification system for two ships, ensuring the processing of all grey and black water in compliance with the highest environmental standards set by the industry. The systems will adhere to the effluent standards of the Baltic Sea and Alaska.

The delivery of major equipment supplies is scheduled for 2025 and 2026, respectively.

Further details regarding the shipyard and shipowner involved in this contract will be disclosed at a later stage.

Latest Wärtsilä engine to make its debut powering new French luxury cruise ships

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 05 October 2023 05 October 2023

Technology group Wärtsilä will supply its recently introduced Wärtsilä 25DF dual-fuel (LNG) engine for two new sail-assisted luxury cruise ships. The vessels are being built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique (CdA) shipyard in France for Orient Express Silenseas, part of French hospitality group, Accor. There is an option for an additional two vessels. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in May 2023.

The Wärtsilä 25DF engine is the most efficient and most environmentally friendly marine engine in its power range. It features a two stage turbocharging system, common rail fuel injection, and cylinder wise combustion control. This enables unparalleled power density and efficiency across the full operating range, delivering low fuel consumption and reduced emissions.

“These will be very special cruise vessels and have been designed to operate with a high level of environmental sustainability. For this reason, the Wärtsilä 25DF engine was selected. It is silent, compact in size yet powerful in performance, so it was the perfect choice for these ships,” said Yann Penduff, Chantiers de l’Atlantique Project Manager.

“The Wärtsilä 25DF is an engine that supports the shipping industry’s transition to greater fuel efficiency and a much-reduced carbon footprint. It marks the beginning of a new era of future-proof medium speed, small-bore engines, and comes as an important step towards the maritime industry meeting its decarbonisation goals. We are delighted that it has been selected for these very advanced cruise vessels,” commented Stefan Nysjö, Vice President, Power Supply, Wärtsilä Marine Power.

The full Wärtsilä scope includes for each vessel four Wärtsilä 25DF engines, each developing 2070 kW at 1000 rpm, four gas valve units (GVUs), and four Wärtsilä NOx Reducer (NOR) emission after-treatment systems. The equipment is scheduled for delivery to the shipyard commencing in autumn 2024.

The first of the 220 metre-long vessels will be named the ‘Orient Express Silenseas’. The ships are designed to accommodate approximately 116 passengers.