Norwegian Prime Minister becomes the godmother of all-electric passenger vessel Future of The Fjords
Erna Solberg, the Prime Minister of Norway, has today been announced as the godmother of The Fjords’ award winning all-electric passenger vessel Future of The Fjords. The environmentally friendly 400 PAX ship will be christened at Gudvangen, situated in the stunning UNESCO World Heritage listed Nærøyfjord, on 17 November.
Future of The Fjords is the world’s first electric carbon fibre catamaran and the winner of Skipsrevyen’s Ship of the Year title at SMM this year. Its zero emission, silent running operations and accessible decks, where passengers of any mobility can literally climb up the ship, provide a unique platform to enjoy Western Norway’s breath-taking fjords, while also safeguarding the fragile environment for future generations.
Future of the Fjords launched in May and will make around 700 round-trip voyages a year, silently sailing between its home ports of Flåm and Gudvangen. It is the only vessel to sail the route year round, allowing passengers from around the world to experience the changing seasonal landscapes, lights and sensations of the unique fjord area. Its sister ship, the plug-in hybrid Vision of the Fjords, also serves the Flåm-Gudvangen route in the summer months, moving to Oslo from November to April starting in 2018. Vision of the Fjords preceded its sister as Ship of the Year winner, receiving the honour in 2016.
In recognition of the two vessels’ environmental performance, innovation and accessibility, the design received the Norwegian Centre for Design and Architecture (DOGA) Universal Design ‘Transport’ award 2017, as well as the overall 2017 DOGA Innovation prize.
The naming ceremony will take place alongside the PowerDock in Gudvangen, with the programme of activities running through from 12.30pm to 4pm.
The Fjords is jointly owned by local tourism agency Flåm AS and Fjord1 ASA, Norway’s leading ferry operator. Future of The Fjords was constructed at Norway’s Brødrene Aa shipyard with financial support from state run low emission solutions organisation Enova.
Facts - Future of The Fjords:
Length: 42 m
Width: 15 m
Materials: Carbon fibre sandwich
Seats: 400
Class: DNV GL light craft
El-motor: 2 x450kW
Propeller: CPP propeller
Battery pack: 1800 kWh
