Hurtigruten will rebuild the MS Finnmarken into a hybrid-powered expedition ship, and Green Yard Kleven in Ulsteinvik has been commissioned with the extensive technical upgrade.
"This is an exciting assignment for us, and a good news to be able to give to our employees. It is also extra nice that there are local suppliers who will be involved and perform much of the work," says Kjetil Bollestad, CEO of Green Yard Kleven.
Hareid Group from Hareid and Fjord Technology from Ulsteinvik are the main suppliers together with Green Yard Kleven. Ventilation is supplied by Aeron in Flekkefjord, and the hybrid package itself is supplied by Siemens.
Built on Kleven
In 2020, the Hurtigruten ship was completely renovated inside, and the technical upgrade and hybrid package that will now be installed is the last part of the rebuild before MS Finnmarken becomes a full-fledged hybrid expedition ship. The ship will be named MS Otto Sverdrup (CruiseMapper), and will sail for Hurtigruten Expeditions.
MS Finnmarken was built on Kleven and delivered to Hurtigruten in 2002.
"It is a great advantage for us that both we and our partners know the ship from the time of construction. We have many employees who helped build the ship, and it is the same employees who have recently built the two newest hybrid-powered expedition ships for Hurtigruten, MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen. This provides a unique competence that will be of great help in the extensive rebuilding of the ship," says Kjetil Bollestad.
The assignment starts in February
In addition to installing the hybrid package, which consists of a battery pack in combination with diesel engines, new combined shaft generators and drive motors will be installed together with new frequency converters. MS Finnmarken will arrive at the yard in mid-February, and will provide work beyond the spring of 2021.
"We thank Hurtigruten Expeditions for the trust and look forward to carrying out this green assignment," concludes Kjetil Bollestad.