Hurtigruten Zero Emission Cruise Ship is the Future of Sustainable Luxury Cruises
The cruise industry is as old as the days of the Titanic when wealthy patrons sailed across the Atlantic in opulence. Today cruises have become common place with a litany of cruise companies offering tours to everywhere on earth and even exotic destinations like the Artic and Antarctica.
Image: Hurtigruten
While cruise ships have become more technologically advanced over the years, they still rely on fossil fuel propulsion. This may be about to change if the Hurtigruten Zero Emission Cruise Ship gains traction in the industry. The Hurtigruten ship named Sea Zero, is the world’s first zero emission cruise ship built by the Norwegian company and the future of the industry.
Together with a consortium of 12 maritime partners and research institute SINTEF, the zero-emission cruise ship concept became a reality. The CEO of the company stated that: “We are committed to delivering a ship that surpasses all others, in terms of energy efficiency and sustainability, within just a few years.”
Image: Hurtigruten
The next-generation zero-emission cruise ship will feature groundbreaking technologies not used before in the cruise industry. The vessel will feature three retractable, autonomous wings-rigs that will enhance the aerodynamics of the ship and draw in air currents to assist in propulsion. The sails will be covered in solar panels to maximize the availability of 24 hours of sunlight in the Norwegian artic.
The vessel will store energy from the sails in a 60MWh cobalt free battery system in the lower part of the hull. An indicator on the side of the vessel will indicate battery strength and time to recharge.
Image: Hurtigruten
Dozens of exterior sensors and cameras will measure and monitor everything on the vessel. In addition, built-in artificial intelligence systems will aid maneuvering and steering of the vessel thereby reducing equipment and personnel in the bridge. This means a smaller bridge akin to the size of airplane cockpit.
Additional technological innovations include hidden thrusters at the stern of the vessel that retracts into the hull when not needed, making the ship even more streamlined. Underwater air lubrication to reduce drag and allow the ship to travel on a carpet of air bubbles. Smart cabins with intelligent heating and cooling throughout the vessel. Guests will be able to control energy use in their individual cabins through an app on their smartphones.
Image: Hurtigruten
At 443 feet (135 meters), the vessel will have 270 cabins for 500 passengers. A cavernous cargo hold will have the ability to transport cars and other vehicles. Sea Zero as the project is named will enter research and development phase until 2025 with the vessel expected to be officially launched sometime in 2030.
