Photo: Antarctica21
The cruise industry overall is going through a transformation in terms of environmental impact and sustainability. The biggest operators are switching to LNG for classic cruise ships, others are building brand-new ships designed for clean propulsion, and some are exploring various e-fuel alternatives. Antarctica21 has embarked on a journey toward zero emissions, becoming the first in the industry to integrate e-fuel into travel operations on the White Continent.
Cruise operator Antarctica21 will officially start to test e-gasoline made by HIF Global. The two signed an agreement earlier this month during a ceremony in Punta Arenas, southern Chile. This is the location of the Haru Oni plant where HIF Global produces e-fuel for various industrial applications.
While pioneering for travel operations on the White Continent, this agreement marks only a small step for now. The green gasoline won't be used for an actual expedition ship, but only for the Zodiacs that are used during Magellan Explorer expeditions. Transitioning to green fuels for cruise ships is a gradual process that will slowly unfold over the next years.
As an air-cruise expedition operator, Antarctica21 intends to eventually switch to cleaner alternatives for both the Magellan Explorer ship (synthetic marine gasoline oil/e-MGO) and its aircraft (synthetic jet fuel). Still, it's important to start, and this is the first step in the right direction.
HIF Global produces its e-fuel through the process of carbon capture, using water and sustainable energy. Haru Oni is the company's first operational facility, which will be followed by several others in the US, Brazil, Uruguay, and Australia. Agreements like the recent one with Antarctica21 help companies like HIF Global expand their potential for innovation and gradually make alternative fuels more accessible and affordable. Maritime transportation is notoriously hard to decarbonize (along with aviation), which makes the large-scale availability of e-fuel one of the key factors for success.
Magellan Explorer is Antarctica21's flagship vessel. It's 90.7 meters long (297.5 feet) and currently powered by 3,440 kW Diesel engines. It's designed to accommodate 75 guests and a 60-person crew and staff. It was custom-built for air-cruise operations on the White Continent, and it meets the latest Polar Code specifications.
Amenities onboard include a luxurious glass-enclosed observation lounge and a media room with advanced audio-visual equipment, in addition to standard cruise amenities. The modern cabins include private bathrooms, wardrobes, sitting areas, and controlled heating systems.
The Magellan Explorer comes with an auxiliary fleet of ten Zodiacs for comfortable disembarking and wildlife watching during the Antarctic expeditions. These are the watercraft on which the operator will initially test the e-gasoline from HIF Global. From there, it will gradually move to an extended use of alternative fuels. It will take a few years, but hopefully, one day, the Magellan Explorer will be able to offer 100% carbon-neutral expeditions on the White Continent.
While pioneering for travel operations on the White Continent, this agreement marks only a small step for now. The green gasoline won't be used for an actual expedition ship, but only for the Zodiacs that are used during Magellan Explorer expeditions. Transitioning to green fuels for cruise ships is a gradual process that will slowly unfold over the next years.
As an air-cruise expedition operator, Antarctica21 intends to eventually switch to cleaner alternatives for both the Magellan Explorer ship (synthetic marine gasoline oil/e-MGO) and its aircraft (synthetic jet fuel). Still, it's important to start, and this is the first step in the right direction.
HIF Global produces its e-fuel through the process of carbon capture, using water and sustainable energy. Haru Oni is the company's first operational facility, which will be followed by several others in the US, Brazil, Uruguay, and Australia. Agreements like the recent one with Antarctica21 help companies like HIF Global expand their potential for innovation and gradually make alternative fuels more accessible and affordable. Maritime transportation is notoriously hard to decarbonize (along with aviation), which makes the large-scale availability of e-fuel one of the key factors for success.
Magellan Explorer is Antarctica21's flagship vessel. It's 90.7 meters long (297.5 feet) and currently powered by 3,440 kW Diesel engines. It's designed to accommodate 75 guests and a 60-person crew and staff. It was custom-built for air-cruise operations on the White Continent, and it meets the latest Polar Code specifications.
Amenities onboard include a luxurious glass-enclosed observation lounge and a media room with advanced audio-visual equipment, in addition to standard cruise amenities. The modern cabins include private bathrooms, wardrobes, sitting areas, and controlled heating systems.
The Magellan Explorer comes with an auxiliary fleet of ten Zodiacs for comfortable disembarking and wildlife watching during the Antarctic expeditions. These are the watercraft on which the operator will initially test the e-gasoline from HIF Global. From there, it will gradually move to an extended use of alternative fuels. It will take a few years, but hopefully, one day, the Magellan Explorer will be able to offer 100% carbon-neutral expeditions on the White Continent.
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