The Fjords cruise line has received its latest all-electric vessel, Legacy of The Fjords, which will join sister ships Vision of The Fjords and Future of The Fjords, cruising the west coast of Norway.
According to John Vonli, managing director of The Fjords, the delivery of the vessel marks an important milestone for the company. “Our mission has been to share the fjord experience with as many people as possible while reducing our impact on a fragile ecosystem,” he said.
Like Future of The Fjords, Legacy of The Fjords was designed and constructed by Norwegian shipyard Brødrene Aa. Both are all-electric, carbon-fiber catamarans offering completely emissions-free transportation for up to 400 passengers through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed fjord route between Flåm and Gudvangen.
The Nkr130m (US$13.6m) vessel is propelled by two 450kW electric motors, enabling cruising speeds of 16kts. Together with Brødrene Aa, the company developed a unique charging station called the Power Dock, a 40m-long, 5m-wide floating glass-fiber charging station in Gudvangen. The station houses a 2.4MWh battery pack, which allows for a stable, efficient and cost-effective charging time of about 20 minutes. The dock also stores consumables, fuel for sister vessels, and allows black water to be offloaded for treatment on land.
Vonli noted that the Servogear Ecoflow propulsion system aboard the vessels is not only a zero-emissions solution but also enhances the passenger experience: “Unlike noisy diesel engines which emit exhaust, the all-electric engines found on the Legacy of The Fjords are clean and silent. Passengers can now glide effortlessly over the water and come closer to nature than ever before.”
Legacy of The Fjords is expected to enter service on July 17, ferrying passengers between Flåm and Nærøyfjorden.