Hurtigruten Expeditions will host a naming ceremony for its battery hybrid-powered ship MS Fridtjof Nansen later this month.

MS Fridtjof Nansen is the latest addition to the Hurtigruten Expeditions fleet and features green technology.

It is named after polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen, who led the first expedition to ski across Greenland in 1888.

The ship will be officially named in what the line said was the “birthplace of expedition cruising” – the Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard, on 14 September 2021.

It will be the northernmost naming ceremony ever to be held for a passenger ship, according to the cruise line.

Hurtigruten Expeditions CEO Asta Lassesen said: “When looking for a location for the naming of MS Fridtjof Nansen, we couldn’t think of a better place than Svalbard. For expedition cruising, this is where it all began.

“For us, Svalbard and Spitsbergen is much more than just a destination – it’s a part of our history. As history has told us, we need to work closely with local communities when we develop sustainable tourism for future generations of explorers.

“When we embark on our Svalbard expeditions, we combine our 125 years of experience with our year-round land-based presence, creating jobs and value for the local community that lasts way beyond our cruise calls.

“By naming this ground-breaking expedition ship after Fridtjof Nansen, on Svalbard, we wish to pay tribute to him by virtue of his achievements both as an explorer and a humanitarian.

“At the same time, we aim to honour the importance of Svalbard in Arctic exploration and tourism, not only in the past, but today.”

Lassesen added that MS Fridtjof Nansen’s size and use of green technology will enable it “explore waters where few other ships can go”.

“Hosting scientists on every cruise, and featuring the on-board Nansen Science Centre as the beating heart of the ship, guests, scientists and crew will together create a deeper understanding of the areas we explore,” Lassesen said.

Hurtigruten Expeditions recently returned to service with the departure of MS Otto Sverdrup. 

In 2022, the line will also operate a 17-day White Sea – Norway and Russia Adventure itinerary on MS Spitsbergen.