VESSEL REVIEW | Havila Castor – LNG-fuelled newbuild is second in series for Norwegian cruise company

Turkey's Tersan Shipyard has delivered Havila Castor, the second in a series of four coastal ships ordered by Norwegian cruise operator Havila Kystruten.

The newbuild has an LOA of 124.1 metres, a beam of 22 metres, a gross tonnage of 15,471, and capacity for 640 passengers. The vessel was designed by Norway's HAV Ship Design and built under the supervision of classification society DNV.

Like its 2021-built sister vessel Havila Capella, Havila Castor features LNG and battery propulsion, which also includes shore charging equipment. The vessel can even sail for up to four hours on battery power alone. An energy-efficient hull design helps minimise fuel consumption, and therefore further reduces emissions.

The propulsion system consists of a Corvus Energy 6,100kWh battery pack, four Bergen C26:33L-9 main engines, and Kongsberg Maritime tunnel thrusters and azimuthing permanent magnet thrusters. Corvus Energy said the battery propulsion will help the ship achieve CO2 emissions reductions of as much as 7,500 tonnes a year. In the future, both Havila Castor and Havila Capella may even be modified to enable operations using alternative fuels such as liquefied biogas (LBG), ammonia, and hydrogen in addition to LNG.

The ship also boasts heat recovery systems that utilise seawater. A D2862LE4 emergency generator from MAN is also installed.

Amenities include restaurants, cafes, bars, a conference room, an observation lounge, and gyms. Onboard furniture includes chairs and sofas from Stressless and Ekornes and wheelhouse seats from Alu Design. The interiors were designed by Accomar Marine Interior and Vestnes Turkey. All interiors benefit from an HVAC setup from Teknotherm and toilet facilities by Jets. Libra-Plast and IMS Technologies meanwhile supplied the doors.

The vessel also features Norwater water purification systems, Delitek waste management systems, Allweiler pumps, John Gjerde air vents, Glamox lights, and Electromecanica Del Noreste lifts that provide access between the various decks.

The communications setup was supplied as part of a Sunncom package consisting of radiotelephones, a PA system, CCTV cameras, entertainment systems, and wi-fi internet connectivity.

All electrical installation works were carried out by Norwegian Electric Systems. Norwegian Control Systems meanwhile supplied the vessel with an integrated automation system and an integrated bridge. Air compressors were provided by TMC.

Marsis Dis Ticaret cranes are also fitted to aid in loading and unloading of cargo.

The vessel is also equipped for emergencies. There is a firefighting system from Survitec, liferafts from Viking Norsafe, and a rescue boat from Palfinger Marine.

Havila Castor has already begun sailing on the coastal route between Bergen and Kirkenes.

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