Hurtigruten Norway has announced plans for its first environmentally friendly cruise ship ahead of its 130th anniversary. The project, known as 'Sea Zero,' aims to create the world's most energy-efficient cruise vessel and involves a consortium of 12 maritime partners and research institute SINTEF. The consortium has shared its initial concept plans after one year of research, with the goal of achieving emission-free marine travel.
With a focus on sustainable operations along the Norwegian coast, Hurtigruten Norway intends to build smaller, custom-designed ships that have zero emissions, benefiting both the sea and the land. The company aims to have the first ship ready by 2030 and plans to convert its entire fleet to zero-emission vessels. Given that only a minute percentage (0.1%) of ships worldwide currently utilize zero-emission technology, Hurtigruten Norway's project seeks to significantly enhance the sustainability record and future of the cruise industry.
The future ships from Hurtigruten Norway will be electrically powered and equipped with batteries that can be charged while in port. These vessels are expected to feature several innovative solutions that are not yet present on cruise ships. Examples include retractable sails with solar panels, artificial intelligence maneuvering, contra-rotating propellers, and multiple retractable thrusters. Other technologies, such as air lubrication, advanced hull coating, and proactive hull cleaning, will also be incorporated.
The ship's battery levels will be displayed on its exterior, and the bridge, where the Captain and crew navigate, will be significantly reduced in size thanks to improved A.I. maneuvering, similar to an airplane cockpit. Drawing from their extensive knowledge of the 34 ports they visit daily, Hurtigruten Norway plans to employ A.I. to collect data and learn the most efficient docking and undocking methods for each port, particularly in challenging weather conditions.
The vessel will feature 3 retractable autonomous wing rigs equipped with 1500m² of solar panels and 750m² of wind surface. When fully extended, these wings will reach a maximum height of 50 meters.
Hurtigruten Norway aims to provide exceptional guest comfort and breathtaking views on board its first zero-emission ship. A streamlined design will reduce air resistance, decrease energy consumption, and enhance passenger comfort. The ship will offer ample outdoor spaces and expanded surface areas with dedicated windows to provide unparalleled views of what is often referred to as 'the world's most beautiful coastline.'
Guests will also play a role in minimizing energy consumption through an interactive mobile app. The app will allow them to control modern cabin ventilation and monitor their water and energy usage.
The Sea Zero project is now entering a 2-year phase during which the proposed technologies will be further developed, tested, and refined to create the final zero-emission ship. The current focus of research and development includes battery production, propulsion technology, hull design, and implementing sustainable practices to minimize energy consumption. It will be crucial to develop new technologies for onboard hotel operations, which typically account for up to 50% of a ship's total energy usage. The project aims to achieve a 50% reduction in energy compared to Hurtigruten Norway's current ships.
While working towards the development of its first zero-emission ship, Hurtigruten Norway is also undertaking a comprehensive environmental upgrade of its existing fleet, which represents one of the most significant environmental upgrades in European maritime history. Two out of the seven ships have already been converted into battery-hybrid-powered vessels, with a third set to undergo the same upgrade in the coming months. The remaining five ships are being equipped with various technologies that will reduce CO2 emissions by 25% and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 80%. In 2019, Hurtigruten Expeditions, a sister company, introduced the world's first battery-hybrid-powered ship, MS Roald Amundsen; and the Expeditions arm now has 3 battery-hybrid ships out of its 7-ship fleet.
The new zero-emission vessel is modeled at 135 metres (443 feet) long, with 270 cabins that hold 500 passengers and 99 crew members. The newbuild will also have a significant cargo hold/transport cars.