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Hurtigruten ship becomes first to be christened in Antarctica
Hurtigruten’s expedition ship MS Roald Amundsen has become the first vessel to be officially christened in Antarctica.
The event took place at Chiriguano Bay on Brabant Island, and was attended by godmother Karin Strand.
The christening used a block of ice instead of the traditional champagne bottle hitting the ship’s hull.
"We could not think of a better location than Antarctica to name MS Roald Amundsen," said Hurtigruten CEO, Daniel Skjeldam.
"As Roald Amundsen was the symbol of a new era of exploration, this ship is the symbol of a new era in the cruise industry."
The 530 passenger capacity MS Roald Amundsen is a hybrid vessel using large battery packs to support the low-emission engines.
That reduces CO2 emissions by more than 20%, the line says.
Earlier this year it became the first hybrid electric-powered ship to go through the Northwest Passage.
Following its 2019-20 Antarctica season, it will spend the 2020 summer season in Alaska.
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