Today, adventure cruise firm Hurtigruten Norway announced plans for a 2030 solar-powered, zero-emissions electric cruise ship with retractable sails.
The company operates eight 500-passenger ships along the Norwegian coast from Oslo to the Arctic Circle. Hedda Felin, CEO of the modest firm, expects this innovation “can inspire the entire maritime industry.”
Since renewables comprise 98% of Norway’s electricity, the design will use 60-megawatt batteries charged in port. Gerry Larsson-Fedde, SVP of marine operations for Hurtigruten Norway, who proposed a zero-emission ship, thinks that the batteries will have a range of 300 to 350 nautical miles, requiring one-liner to charge seven or eight times over an 11-day round voyage.
When windy, three retractable sails—or wings—will rise from the deck to 50 meters to reduce battery use. Larsson-Fedde says they may shrink to fit under bridges or tilt themselves for maximum wind. He says 1,500 square meters of solar panels will cover the sails and charge the batteries while sailing. The ship’s side would indicate the battery levels.
“Despite winter darkness in Norway, the south gets sun. The summer sun is 24/7. He claims the midnight sun will supercharge us.
The ship will have 270 cabins for 500 guests and 99 personnel, and its streamlined shape will cut air resistance and energy utilization. An interactive smartphone app that tracks water and energy consumption will help passengers reduce their climate impact on board.
Larsson-Fedde says, “We want to make them more aware of how much energy they use by spending 10 minutes more in the shower or having full air conditioning in greener shipping.
The 135-meter ship will have 270 rooms. The sails exceed 50 meters when fully stretched.
According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN entity that oversees worldwide shipping, 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the shipping industry. The IMO set a 2050 greenhouse gas emission target in 2018.
The transatlantic car carrier Oceanbird, cargo ships with retractable sails, Oceanco’s Black Pearl superyacht, and Chantiers de Atlanique’s cruise ship with folding solid sails are among the innovative eco-friendly sailing vessel designs. Most will also use fossil fuel engines. Larsson-Fedde said Hurtigruten Norway’s design would use ammonia, methanol, or biofuel and feature a backup engine for safety.
Hurtigruten Norway has promoted sustainable shipping. It debuted the first hybrid, battery-powered cruise ship in 2019 and is switching its expedition fleet to hybrid battery power.
We need the ocean and ecology. Felin says our product is clean oceans, harbors, and local suppliers. We aim to lead sustainability because our industry needs to be more active and ambitious.
Hurtigruten Norway will test its technology for two years before finalizing the design in 2026 and starting shipyard construction in 2027. Norway’s first ship will arrive in 2030. After that, the business hopes to progressively convert its fleet to zero-emission vessels.
Since March 2022, Hurtigruten Norway, 12 maritime partners, and SINTEF have been studying technology options for emission-free marine travel under the “Sea Zero” project.
