Hybrid electric vessel Vision of the Fjords has won an award recognising its accessibility and environmental achievements.
The 400-passenger capacity vessel, owned and operated by The Fjords DA, secured the Norwegian Centre for Design and Architecture (DOGA) Universal Design ‘transport’ award for its commitment to optimal passenger accessibility, experience and environmental sustainability.
Rolf Sandvik, CEO of The Fjords, said: “…we ensured that the ‘path’ passengers use to ascend the ship, and really immerse themselves in the sensory delights of the nature here, is as accessible to those in wheelchairs, or of limited mobility, as it is to all.”
“There’s no stairs, no elevators, no obstructions, just a gently sloping surface leading everyone to unforgettable views.”
Disability consultations
Norwegian shipyard Brødrene AA, which designed and built the vessel, organised consultations during the build process to ensure that all passenger groups would be accommodated.
The DOGA jury commented that the design was both “radical and ground-breaking” and addressed passenger mobility with true innovation. It further said that the vessel had the potential to become genuinely “iconic”.
Vision of the Fjords undertakes 700 yearly trips and has low emission operations, with silent running electric motors carrying its carbon fibre hull.
The Fjords, with the financial backing of Fjord1 and Flåm, is focusing on new ship Future of The Fjords, to be built in 2018. The vessel replaces its sister ship’s diesel-electric hybrid solution with pure electric propulsion with the aim of achieving zero emissions and zero noise pollution.
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Source: Maritime Journal
