Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards Group has unveiled its recently finished Expedition Cruise Vessel design, developed together with Expedition Voyage Consultants Ltd and the Danish Naval Architect firm, Knud E. Hansen.
The Damen Expedition Cruise Vessel has been designed for expedition operations in both remote polar and tropical regions.“The vessel’s Polar Class 6 compliance and 30 days autonomous cruising capability ensure she is globally capable and able to tackle challenging, far-reaching itineraries,†Damen Product Director, Henk Grunstra, said, adding that the vessel’s design is prepared to comply with SOLAS’ Safe Return to Port requirements.
With approximately 1,100m2 of public space and 2,500m2 of outside deck, there will be sufficient space for 115 passengers and a +200 pax design will be developed soon, Damen said.
The propulsion system consist of a diesel-mechanical hybrid configuration. More specifically, this will encompass IMO Tier III compliant (EPA tier 4 equivalent) medium speed engines. A PTI-PTO variable frequency drive will also be included, thus enabling efficient load distribution on the engines.
Designed to be ‘battery ready’, the vessel could be equipped with an energy storage battery system capable of various functions such as peak- shaving, provision of supplementary power for manoeuvring or silent sailing operations and auxiliary generator UPS.
“This hybrid propulsion technology is the most fuel efficient option available,†Grunstra said referring to the vessel’s 16 knot service speed and 18 knot maximum speed.