by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:15 AM ET, Fri October 11, 2024
Hurtigruten has provided more information on its Sea Zero project, an ambitious plan to create the world’s first zero-emission cruise ship.
The project which was announced back in October 2022, with its first renderings for view last summer, plans to debut the ship in 2030. The ship will use large batteries, solar sails and other new methods to sail entirely emission-free, and will utilize 40-50 percent less energy when compared to current-day ships. The ship's design won first place for “Concept Vessel Design of the Year” at the Electric & Hybrid Marine Awards in Amsterdam this summer.
A second version of renderings has now been released by Vard, one of Hurtigruten’s key Sea Zero partners.
The Sea Zero project will use sails that capture wind and solar energy. (Photo Credit: Vard / Hurtigruten)
One of the biggest parts of the ship’s renewable resources are the sails, which can be raised to capture both solar and wind energy. The sail, called OceanWings, are developed by French and are already in-use on the cargo ship Canopée. The sails will reduce 10 percent of energy consumption, while the solar panels will save around 2-3 percent.
The ship will be built with some of the most advanced technology available, with contra-rotating propellers as the main propulsion system, batteries and two retractable thrusters. Everything is designed to save energy, such as the air lubrication of the hull, in which air bubbles are pumped beneath the hull to reduce drag and save 5-10 percent of energy consumption.
Additionally, the cabins will be considered “smart cabins,” where guests can control their own energy usage. Using an app and a screen in the cabin, they can control heating and ventilation while also seeing how much energy is being used.
“The cruising industry is a significant polluter, and it is crucial that we now take major steps to reduce emissions. Our goal is to have an emission-free ship in operation by around 2030. We are still in the research and development phase, but we have made significant progress,” said Hurtigruten CEO Hedda Felin.
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