Photos: Albatros Expeditions Vessel To Deliver Industry’s Lowest GHG Emissions Per Passenger

Following the successful sea trial of the ‘Ocean Victory’ which was completed in February 2021, the charterer Albatros Expeditions now announces record-low emissions per passenger. According to a press release from Albatros Expeditions, the vessel will deliver the lowest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per passenger in the industry.

Image Credits: ulstein.com

Three reasons why the ‘Ocean Victory’ has low emissions

Hans Lagerweij, the company’s president, explains: “First of all, ‘Ocean Victory’ has Tier III compliant engines that limit the amount of nitrous oxides. Secondly, we only burn marine gas oil, which emits less CO2 per ton burned compared to a heavier bunker fuel.

Thirdly, the patented and revolutionary ULSTEIN X-BOW® is fantastically efficient, especially with surf and in rougher seas. And lastly, ‘Ocean Victory’ has a fully optimised compact design, providing comfortable space for 185 guests in only 104 metres length and just over 8000 gross tonnage”.

Image Credits: ulstein.com

“Consuming 60 per cent less energy”

According to Albatros Travel Group owner and founder, Søren Rasmussen, the ship uses 60% less energy. ‘We look forward to the day when we can replace the last 40% with sustainable fuel,’ he commented.

“We received our first sustainable travel award back in 1997 when most of the industry had no clue what sustainable travel meant, so of course, we are always wanting to aim higher and find new solutions,” he added.

On a previous occasion, Rasmussen spoke of the company’s onboard practises for a greener ship: “Furthermore, there will be no single-use plastics onboard, and only bio-degradable and eco-friendly cleaning products and laundry chemicals will be used. We will only offer sustainable seafood, reduce the use of all chemicals and implement an onboard recycling program. Additionally, we’ll continue our efforts to support local and global conservation / humanitarian projects in the areas we operate and promote the practice of safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to the Polar Regions.”

Image Credits: ulstein.com

Appreciates the feedback

The design company, Ulstein Design & Solutions AS, appreciates the feedback:

“We have developed a vessel where the hull has been optimised for low fuel consumption with CFD (computational fluid dynamics) analyis. In addition, we have implemented the ULSTEIN X-BOW hull line design, a solution firstly introduced to the offshore segment and only recently to the cruise industry. In addition to fuel savings, the X-BOW softens the movements in head seas, reducing slamming and vibrations, and increases the comfort and rest for passengers and crews,” comments Lead Naval architect Torill Muren, who has been first-hand in experiencing the movements across the Drake Passage. Muren was an invitee on the Antarctica inaugural trip for the world’s first X-BOW cruise vessel, the ‘Greg Mortimer’ in late 2019.

Image Credits: ulstein.com

Muren continues:

“All the vessels in the INFINITY series, including the Ocean Victory, has Tier 3 engines with SCR catalysts to reduce emissions. She runs on low sulphur Marine Gas Oil (MGO), has heat recovery systems and LED lights. On top of this comes the waste water treatment and management system that cleans the waste water before discharging it.

Ships in the Infinity class have Ulstein’s patented X-BOW design, zero-speed stabilizers and dynamic positioning, and are built to Polar Code B, with Polar Class 6 (Ice Class 1A on machinery).

The SunStone vessels are customised versions of the ULSTEIN CX103 designs. All vessels in the series are chartered out to tour operators. Vessel number three, the ‘Ocean Victory’, has been chartered out to Albatros Expeditions in the winter season and to Victory Cruise Lines, for the summer season.

Reference: ulstein.com

Source: Maritime Shipping News