Hurtigruten Zero Emission Cruise Ship Concept - Sea Zero

The Hurtigruten Group presented its concept of a zero emission passenger ship. In the initiative launched in March 2022 under the project name Sea Zero, the Hurtigruten Group, the research institute SINTEF and 12 maritime partners developed this concept. The consortium was commissioned to develop energy-efficient and CO2-neutral solutions and is now delivering first results. A ship is to be developed that will be ahead of all other ships in terms of energy efficiency and sustainability in just a few years. In line with its focus on sustainable operations tailored to the Norwegian coast, the Hurtigruten Group plans to deploy smaller, tailor-made ships that leave a positive climate footprint and generate no emissions at sea or on land. With the first ship due to be ready in 2030, the company plans to convert its entire fleet to zero-emission ships. Hurtigruten’s future ships will be electric and equipped with batteries that will be charged in port. Combining 60-megawatt battery solutions with wind technology, the ship is expected to feature numerous firsts and enhanced solutions not found on cruise ships today, including retractable sails with solar panels, artificial intelligence maneuvers, counter-rotating propellers and multiple retractable thrusters . Other technologies include air lubrication, advanced hull coating and proactive hull cleaning. Battery levels will be displayed on the ship’s exterior, while – against die background of improved AI – the bridge where the captain and crew steer the ship is expected to be significantly smaller and more like an airplane cockpit. The three retractable, autonomous wing platforms will feature 1,500 m² (16,146 ft²) of solar panels and a total windage area of 750 m² (8,073 ft²), reaching a maximum height of 50 m (164 ft) when fully deployed. Hurtigruten Norway strives for first-class guest comfort and spectacular views aboard its first zero-emission ship. A streamlined shape results in lower drag, lower energy consumption and greater passenger comfort. In addition to the spacious outdoor area, enlarged areas with special windows allow an incomparable view of the Norwegian fjord and coastal landscape. Guests will also play a key role in minimizing energy consumption by using an interactive mobile app to operate state-of-the-art cabin ventilation and measure their own water and energy consumption. Sea Zero has now entered a two-year phase in which the proposed technologies will be tried, tested and further developed towards the final zero-emissions ship. The current research and development phase focuses on battery production, propulsion technology, hull design and sustainable practices that reduce energy consumption to an absolute minimum. The new emission-free ship will be 135 meters long and have 270 cabins for 500 guests and 99 crew members. In the 130-year tradition of Hurtigruten, the new ship will also have a large cargo hold and will also be able to carry cars. Image credit: VARD Design + Hurtigruten #hurtigruten #seazero #zeroemissions #zeroemission