Experiencing the Arctic silence with Volvo Penta
The creaks and cracks of huge sheets of ice, the sound of water lapping against the hull, the calls of rare birds, and the sighs of walruses as they survey the water’s surface. The Arctic environment of Svalbard is far from silent – but it’s majestically quiet. And now, its sounds can be experienced first-hand thanks to Volvo Penta’s advanced hybrid-electric solution – delivering both power and silence.
Our future experiences at sea will be different from how they are today – more immersive, and more connected with our surroundings. Now you can experience for yourself exactly how the Arctic environment can be explored by sea in near silence. The Svalbard tourist boat Kvitbjørn, operated by Hurtigruten Svalbard and powered by Volvo Penta, allows guests to experience the Arctic landscape in a calm, steady, electric-powered glide.
As Tore Magne Hoem, Adventures Director at Hurtigruten Svalbard, says: “I can’t imagine a better thing than gliding through Arctic waters: silent, no emissions, nothing, looking at the wildlife and nature. And that’s what we’re going to do.”
“[Kvitbjørn is] meant to take our guests to see the beautiful nature of Svalbard and our surroundings at sea, wildlife, and nature: you can sort of hear things you don’t hear elsewhere. The sound of glacier ice in the water – this popping sound – the breath of walruses. [It is] a perfect platform to do that.”
The hybrid-electric propulsion system on Kvitbjørn is the result of a collaboration between partners Volvo Penta, Marell Boats, and Hurtigruten Svalbard – who have established a three-year pilot project to test new electromobility technology in one of the world’s most extreme maritime environments.
The experience is enabled by a fully integrated, helm-to-propeller hybrid electric system. This includes key Volvo Penta features like the joystick and Dynamic Positioning System enabled for electric mode, and a unique driver experience that delivers complete control and adaptability. The experience even pioneers a new business model for the companies: electromobility as a service.
Get a glimpse of what it feels like to experience the sublime Arctic landscape itself >
