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Volvo Penta hybrid-electric vessels bring the natural world closer for Arctic tourists
Volvo Penta hybrid-electric vessels bring the natural world closer for Arctic tourists
MS Bard is a stunning new hybrid-electric tourist vessel currently cruising the beautiful waters off the coast of northern Norway. Launched in the summer of 2023 by Brim Explorer, the boat uses variable speed gensets to deliver silent cruising, lower emissions and the ultimate in natural-tourism experience.
Volvo Penta is developing new and innovative power solutions for commercial vessels that drive sustainability and set new standards in on-board experience. In a partnership with Brim Explorer, the company has rolled out its newest design, combining variable speed gensets with proven D8 engines to deliver a hybrid configuration that offers unrivaled passenger experiences.
Located off the northern coast of Norway, MS Bard is a whale-watching vessel with a capacity of 146 passengers. Its near-silent and vibration-free operation takes tourists closer to nature, gliding through stunning seascapes and connecting them to the untouched wildlife. Having a hybrid-electric set-up means the vessel has significantly reduced emissions compared with traditional alternatives. When approaching glaciers, wildlife, and settlements, the vessel runs in fully electric mode, while at higher speeds, it runs as a hybrid.
“Our guests are passionate about the natural world and look for more sustainable experiences when traveling. So, we were excited to work with Volvo Penta for the hybrid-electric MS Bard, which is paired with our own direct-drive electric propulsion system. It gives us the ultimate flexibility, running on fully electric or hybrid power depending on where we are in the journey. The Volvo Penta variable speed gensets are an ideal solution for MS Bard.” said Espen Larsen-Hakkebo, CTO, Brim Explorer.
From May 2024, MS Bard will be chartered by Hurtigruten Svalbard. Tore Hoem, adventures director at the company said that the ongoing collaboration between Brim Explorer and Hurtigruten Svalbard to run MS Bard marks an important step into the future of tourism in Svalbard.
“We are thrilled to have a new, modern, and even more sustainable ship as part of our operation from May next year, which will further expand the experiences our guests enjoy on our tours,” said Tore.
Better design, better performance
Variable speed marine gensets offer reduced emissions at greater levels than traditional fixed speed gensets. They also enable better space utilization and are designed to work with current and future power technologies. With variable speed gensets, the configuration uses a smaller battery bank that can charge on the move, and engine speed can be adjusted up or down depending on need, unlike traditional, fixed speed gensets which must run at a constant speed.
“MS Bard is one the first vessels to use our variable speed marine genset and so far we’ve had unanimously positive feedback from Brim Explorer on operating the vessel and the experience of the tourists on board,” said Richard Johansson, Area Sales Manager, Volvo Penta.
Volvo Penta’s variable speed marine gensets offer leading edge, sustainable design, exceeding IMO III requirements and they are approved for HVO fuel. Switching to HVO is as simple as changing the gas nozzle when refueling. No change or prep is required. Meanwhile, the modular installation of the gensets means they can be designed, developed and integrated into any configuration seamlessly.
Market leaders
Variable speed gensets from Volvo Penta are the most compact solution on the market and can run in conjunction with Volvo Penta engines from the D8 up to the D16. For MS Bard there are two gensets aboard, each with a power output of 300kWe. The vessel was built by Brødrene AA, while the engines were supplied through local Volvo Penta dealer La-Sa Båt og Motor, which will also provide full-service support.
Brim Explorer was founded in 2018 and is a tourism company operating in Northern Norway and Oslo, offering silent, sustainable and innovative nature experiences at sea. With a fleet of four electric and hybrid electric ships, which are designed around customer experience, Brim Explorer prioritizes guest satisfaction while minimizing its environmental impact. During the summer of 2024 MS Bard will begin operations in Svalbard, through a collaboration with Hurtigruten Svalbard.
Located off the northern coast of Norway, MS Bard is a whale-watching vessel with a capacity of 146 passengers. Its near-silent and vibration-free operation takes tourists closer to nature, gliding through stunning seascapes and connecting them to the untouched wildlife. Having a hybrid-electric set-up means the vessel has significantly reduced emissions compared with traditional alternatives. When approaching glaciers, wildlife, and settlements, the vessel runs in fully electric mode, while at higher speeds, it runs as a hybrid.
“Our guests are passionate about the natural world and look for more sustainable experiences when traveling. So, we were excited to work with Volvo Penta for the hybrid-electric MS Bard, which is paired with our own direct-drive electric propulsion system. It gives us the ultimate flexibility, running on fully electric or hybrid power depending on where we are in the journey. The Volvo Penta variable speed gensets are an ideal solution for MS Bard.” said Espen Larsen-Hakkebo, CTO, Brim Explorer.
From May 2024, MS Bard will be chartered by Hurtigruten Svalbard. Tore Hoem, adventures director at the company said that the ongoing collaboration between Brim Explorer and Hurtigruten Svalbard to run MS Bard marks an important step into the future of tourism in Svalbard.
“We are thrilled to have a new, modern, and even more sustainable ship as part of our operation from May next year, which will further expand the experiences our guests enjoy on our tours,” said Tore.
Better design, better performance
Variable speed marine gensets offer reduced emissions at greater levels than traditional fixed speed gensets. They also enable better space utilization and are designed to work with current and future power technologies. With variable speed gensets, the configuration uses a smaller battery bank that can charge on the move, and engine speed can be adjusted up or down depending on need, unlike traditional, fixed speed gensets which must run at a constant speed.
“MS Bard is one the first vessels to use our variable speed marine genset and so far we’ve had unanimously positive feedback from Brim Explorer on operating the vessel and the experience of the tourists on board,” said Richard Johansson, Area Sales Manager, Volvo Penta.
Volvo Penta’s variable speed marine gensets offer leading edge, sustainable design, exceeding IMO III requirements and they are approved for HVO fuel. Switching to HVO is as simple as changing the gas nozzle when refueling. No change or prep is required. Meanwhile, the modular installation of the gensets means they can be designed, developed and integrated into any configuration seamlessly.
Market leaders
Variable speed gensets from Volvo Penta are the most compact solution on the market and can run in conjunction with Volvo Penta engines from the D8 up to the D16. For MS Bard there are two gensets aboard, each with a power output of 300kWe. The vessel was built by Brødrene AA, while the engines were supplied through local Volvo Penta dealer La-Sa Båt og Motor, which will also provide full-service support.
Brim Explorer was founded in 2018 and is a tourism company operating in Northern Norway and Oslo, offering silent, sustainable and innovative nature experiences at sea. With a fleet of four electric and hybrid electric ships, which are designed around customer experience, Brim Explorer prioritizes guest satisfaction while minimizing its environmental impact. During the summer of 2024 MS Bard will begin operations in Svalbard, through a collaboration with Hurtigruten Svalbard.
Volvo Penta
A part of Volvo Group