Inside the 443ft long Green cruise ship of the future with wind and solar sails, battery banks and ‘smart’ cabins
It may be a luxurious way to sail the blue ocean, but cruising has never been particularly green.
That could be about to change, however, with a zero-emission liner on the horizon.
Hurtigruten, which has been making voyages along the Norwegian coast for 130 years, is developing what may be the world’s most energy-efficient ship in its class – with wind and solar sails, battery banks and ‘smart’ cabins.
Cruising has a larger carbon footprint than air travel and the design hopes to tackle this problem with its ‘zero-emission propulsion’.
The ship, expected to depart in 2030, will be 130 meters long and will have 270 cabins for 500 passengers. It will also carry cargo and those who want to travel to different parts of the coast.
Hurtigruten is working with SINTEF, a research organization, to work on the concept.
Calculations show that the design will consume about 40 to 50 percent less energy than current ships, making it possible to sail primarily on batteries as the main energy source.
Three retractable sails up to a height of 50 meters attract air currents and are covered with solar panels.
Hurtigruten, which has been organizing trips along the Norwegian coast for 130 years, is developing what may be the world’s most energy-efficient ship in its class
The sails also capture energy from the wind and use it to push the ship, like a sail on a regular boat.
During the summer the cruise is powered by Northern Norway’s ‘midnight sun’, which shines every day.
Passengers can also monitor energy consumption in their cabin via an app on their mobile phone.
Hedda Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten, said: “The Coastal Express has been sailing along the Norwegian coast for 130 years. If we want to sail for another 130 years, we have to change the way we sail.
‘We are now upgrading our fleet, reducing CO2 emissions by 25 percent. Yet we must do more for our precious nature and for future generations.
‘It will require a lot of hard work, a lot of investments and a lot of collaboration with very smart partners. But I know we will get there.
‘The cruise industry is a major polluter and it is crucial that we take big steps now to reduce emissions.’