NGF to operate hybrid cruise ships in Scandinavian and Mediterranean regions
French cruise operator Nice Green Ferries (NGF) is planning to deploy hybrid cruise ships in Scandinavia and in the Mediterranean region.
PHOTO: NGF’s hybrid cruise ship concept. NGF
The announcement comes in the light of the Norwegian government’s rule that new ferries should be emission-free and hydrogen-powered for up to four hours to operate across Vestfjorden by Lofoten. This is to comply with the zero-emission fjord regulation that will come into force on 1 January 2026 - which will make Norwegian fjords the first zero-emission waters in the world.
Each cruise ship will be equipped with a “special power plant” onboard that will comprise “several multi-fuel power systems.” The power plant will include “large batteries, windmills/solar cells, fuel cells (running on a fully enclosed ammonia cracking system), biodiesel/biofuels and also standard clean MDO, all as required and available,” NGF claims.
Ammonia cracking is the process by which ammonia is decomposed towards hydrogen and nitrogen over a catalyst. It's typically used in applications where hydrogen is needed as an energy source or fuel.
The vessels will also be capable of using “their own power plants, with batteries/fuel cells to provide sufficient shore power” when berthing at smaller ports that do not offer shore power yet. The cruise ships “will have zero emissions when going in/out of ports, and whilst in the ports,” NGF adds.
The hybrid cruise ships will have a capacity of carrying about 500 passengers.
NGF is currently in discussion with two European shipyards to build these ships.
The cruise operator plans to build two hybrid cruise ships initially, which will be available from 1 January 2026. The company has an option to add two more vessels at a later stage.
NGF has proposed to operate the cruise ships in Scandinavia/ west coast of Norway up to Svalbard in summer season (between 1 May and 1 October) and in the Mediterranean area in winter season (between 1 October and 1 May).
By Tuhin Roy
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