Equipped with battery packs and other eco-friendly technology, the trio of ships will operate year-round expedition sailings along the Norwegian coast from 2021.

As they are revamped, the current Trollfjord, Finnmarken and Midnatsol will be renamed Maud, Otto Sverdrup and Eirik Raude.

Otto Sverdrup will have its battery packs installed during a 2020 refit, with plans for the same changes to be made on Maud and Eirik Raude in 2021.

Hurtigruten’s expansion of its hybrid fleet follows the introduction of Roald Amundsen – the first cruise ship in the world to use such technology – and signals the three single largest upgrade projects in the Norwegian company’s 125-year history.

Chief executive Daniel Skjeldam said: “With these new expedition cruise vessels, you will be able to explore Norway like never before with all the comforts, facilities and expertise you need for creating a perfect adventure.

“Combined with ground-breaking green technology, these ships will truly stand out.”

Battery packs being installed on the three ships will “support the ships engines and drastically cut emissions”, according to Hurtigruten.

The vessels will also be equipped for shore power, to cut emissions to zero when docked in ports with shore power facilities.

In addition, the ships will get “substantially upgraded low-emission engines”.