by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:50 AM ET, Wed June 7, 2023
Hurtigruten Norway is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year by sharing more information about the development of the most sustainable ship at sea, a zero-emission ship whose project name is ‘Sea Zero.’
The Sea Zero project’s first zero-emission ship will debut in 2030; the line expects to completely replace its current fleet with zero-emission ships in the future. The line’s ships will feature electric batteries that charge while in port, along with harnessing power from the wind. Retractable solar panel sails, the use of artificial intelligence, contra-rotating propellers and retractable thrusters are only some of the other advancements the ships will feature to make the ships truly emission-free.
The most visible sustainability feature of the Sea Zero ships will be the three retractable wing rigs that combine solar and wind energy capture technology. They will reach a maximum height of 164 feet when fully extended, towering above the ship to harness the readily available power.
A rendering of what Sea Zero's wind and solar sails will look like when fully extended. (Photo Credit: VARD Design)
The first ship will measure 443 feet or 135 meters long and will feature space for 500 guests and 99 crew members. It will also offer a large cargo hold for shipping.
Guests will be able to minimize energy consumption while on-board by using a mobile app to measure their personal water and energy consumption, as well as operate their cabin ventilation.
The Sea Zero project is currently in its two-year project phase of testing and developing the technologies needed to create this groundbreaking vessel.
“When we initially announced the ‘Sea Zero’ project over a year ago, we were faced with the challenge of not knowing which technologies would be available to us in 2030,” said Hedda Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten Norway. “Our task was to pave the way for new innovations and enhance existing ones to align with our sustainability objectives. While some of these technologies have reached a relatively advanced stage, they still necessitate dedicated research and development to ensure successful implementation within the maritime context.”
“On the other hand, certain technologies are still in early development and require fundamental research and thorough testing,” Felin continued. “Following a rigorous feasibility study, we have pinpointed the most promising technologies for our groundbreaking future cruise ships. We are committed to delivering a ship that surpasses all others in terms of energy efficiency and sustainability within just a few years.”
The project is a collaboration between Hurtigruten Norway and SINTEF, Cavotec Cavotec SA, Vard, Brunvoll, Plug, Corvus Energy, DNV, Sustainable Energy Catapult, Teknotherm, Jotun, Bergen Port, Norwegian Maritime Authority and Norske Havner.
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