Asenav and Antarctica21 celebrate the launch of the first hybrid-electric cruise ship built in Chile

Asenav and Antarctica21 celebrated the launch and christening of the Magellan Discoverer, the first hybrid-electric luxury cruise ship in the Americas, built with 100% domestic engineering.

The ceremony marked the exact moment the ship was set afloat, precisely on the Calle Calle River in the city of Valdivia.

Fernando Rodríguez, general manager of Asenav, stated that “today, after many months of work, we celebrate the launch of the Magellan Discoverer, a milestone that is the result of the talent and collaboration of two companies from the south of our country. This vessel marks a leap forward in sustainable engineering, positioning Asenav as a leading shipyard in the local maritime industry, placing Chile at the forefront of innovation and design of ships of this type worldwide. In just a few months, Antarctica21 will offer a new era of polar exploration aboard an unprecedented cruise ship in the Americas.”

Jaime Vásquez, president of Antarctica21, the company that commissioned the ship's construction, commented, "This is a deeply symbolic moment for us. With the launch of the Magellan Discoverer, we reaffirm our commitment to sustainable Antarctic tourism and our commitment to innovation from southern Chile." "This new ship not only represents a technological leap forward in sustainability, but also a reflection of Chilean talent and what we are capable of achieving when we strive for excellence. We are proud to collaborate with ASENAV on this project that unites cutting-edge engineering with a responsible vision of tourism in the most remote territory on the planet," he added. The Chilean cruise ship will feature advanced navigation technology powered by a hybrid diesel-electric system. This configuration will allow the ship to reduce its CO2 emissions, reduce underwater noise, and sail with a 60-day autonomy without refueling, promoting sustainable tourism in Antarctica.

100% Chilean Innovation and Engineering

The Magellan Discoverer stands out for its boutique yacht-like style, measuring 94 meters in length, 17 meters in width, and 30 meters in height. Its carrying capacity is 96 passengers and 67 crew members. However, on air cruises, the tourist experience offered by Antarctica21 and under which this ship will operate, it is designed for a maximum of 76 passengers.

The ship is equipped with an advanced hybrid-electric propulsion system, consisting of four powerful MAN generator sets totaling 4,800 ekW of power, and two ABB Azipods electric thrusters with 360-degree maneuverability, which will facilitate navigation in areas with icebergs. Furthermore, this technology will improve the configuration of the engine rooms, avoiding a complete propulsion line, which will ultimately optimize propulsion performance by eliminating mechanical parts in between.

Its hybrid-electric design is due to the combination of a diesel-electric plant, whose generators power the electric propulsion motors, with an Energy Storage System (ESS) and a Power Management System (PMS). The former (ESS) is based on a Corvus Energy lithium marine battery bank and is connected to the ship's electrical grid, flexibly storing and supplying energy. The PMS coordinates the generators, converters, batteries, and loads, optimizing the ship's operation and reducing polluting emissions.

Among the technological solutions, the Vessel Performance Monitoring System (VPMS) stands out. Through around 100 sensors, this network analyzes key data in real time and remotely regarding the energy consumption of various equipment, generator performance, navigation speed, among others. Thanks to this system, the operator can visualize the vessel's behavior and make informed decisions to optimize its performance.

The ship's configuration will also focus on creating a more efficient energy system. On the one hand, the heat recovery system will recover the heat generated in the exhaust gases and use it to heat the water, while the elevator technology will capture and convert the energy generated during braking into electricity to recharge the batteries.

From a safety perspective, the engineering behind the project considered compliance with the most stringent regulations of the Polar Code. The ship is Polar Class 6, a polar cruise classification awarded by Lloyd's Register. Thanks to its reinforced hull and robust bow, the vessel will be capable of breaking ice barriers of up to 80 centimeters.

It is worth mentioning that the alliance between Antarctica21 and Asenav has already added its second sustainable ship. The first was the Magellan Explorer cruise ship, currently operating with a low environmental impact in the southernmost part of the world. It was precisely for this ship that the Valdivian shipyard received the AHK Sustainability Award for large companies in 2023, an award that recognized the naval project for its carbon footprint reduction and water treatment.