Norway's Kleven Verft is poised to delivery early a second expedition cruiseship to compatriot shipowner Hurtrigruten.

The Ulsteinvik shipyard is planning deliver the 20,900-gt Fridtjof Nansen by the end of this year, Hurtigruten said.

The ship was originally scheduled to take its maiden voyage from Hamburg on 1 April, but due to the early delivery, Hurtigruten has decided to start operating in January.