Hydrogen Cruise Vessel Launched

Elding – Icelandic for lightning – is the world’s first hydrogen-equipped commercial vessel and from next month, visitors to Iceland will be able to sail on her as she goes whale-watching in the wildlife rich oceans.

When the crew spot whales at sea, they will turn off the main engines so that the cruise passengers can hear the mammals swim and blow water – an experience owner Vignir Sigursveinsson said had been marred in the past by the rumble of a diesel auxiliary engine below. “When we have the hydrogen machine, the boat will be completely soundless, which will make the experience of seeing the whales in their natural habitat even more magical,” said Sigursveinsson.

Wildlife cruises are becoming increasingly popular, but the passengers who take them have deeply held concerns about the effects their tourism may be having on the very wildlife they have travelled to see – hydrogen powered cruise ships are a long way off, but hydrogen lighters, tenders and expedition small boats could be appearing on the larger cruise lines lists in the next two years, if Elding is anything to go by.