Hurtigruten Norway unveils its first zero-emissions cruise ship, complete with retractable sails

Cruise line Hurtigruten Norway has unveiled photos of its first zero-emission ship – and it features extraordinary retractable sails fitted with solar panels.

The 50-foot sails are one of several “firsts and improved solutions” on the electric craft – due to be launched in 2030 – that “don’t exist on cruise ships today,” including “AI maneuvering” and “retractable thrusters.” ‘.

Renderings show the striking design of the 443ft (135m) long vessel, which will boast 270 cabins for 500 guests and 99 crew members.

The ship sails on a combination of energy from a 60 megawatt battery and wind technology and recharges with renewable energy when in port. The battery levels are displayed on the sides of the cruise ship.

In general, technology will play a major role in the ship. Via an interactive mobile app, passengers can measure their own water and energy consumption and control the ventilation in their cabin.

The ship’s 50-foot sails are one of many “firsts and improved solutions” on the electric ship that “don’t exist on cruise ships today”

Hurtigruten Norway says improved AI maneuvering will mean the bridge, where the captain and crew steer the ship, will likely be much smaller than usual on other cruise ships. The company – which runs cruises along the Norwegian coast up to the Arctic Circle – says the AI ​​will “also capture data to help improve docking operations,” mimicking the operations of an airplane cockpit.

Passengers are said to enjoy “superior guest comfort” aboard the “sleek” zero-emission ship, which will boast “plenty of outdoor space” and large windows for “spectacular” views midway through the journey.

The ship won’t be the world’s first zero-emission cruise ship – that award goes to Northern explorera ship being built at Portugal’s West Sea shipyard and due to be launched in 2026.

Hurtigruten Norway plans to eventually operate a completely zero-emission fleet as part of its environmentally focused ‘Sea Zero’ project. Two of the cruise line’s seven ships have been upgraded to run on battery-hybrid power, and a third set will be modernized with the system this fall.

The ship will run on a combination of energy from a 60 megawatt battery and wind technology and will recharge with renewable energy when in port

Passengers are said to enjoy ‘superior guest comfort’ aboard the ‘sleek’ zero-emission vessel

Passengers on board can self-measure their water and energy consumption via an interactive mobile app

Meanwhile, the five other ships will be equipped with technologies that will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 25 percent and nitrogen oxides by 80 percent.

In 2019 sister company Hurtigruten Expeditions introduced the world’s first battery-hybrid powered ship, MS Roald Amundsen. The Expeditions arm now has three battery hybrid ships in its seven-ship fleet.

Commenting on the revelation, Hedda Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten Norway, said: “When we first announced the “Sea Zero” project over a year ago, we were faced with the challenge of not knowing what technologies could be in store for us in 2030. would be available. Our job was to pave the way for new innovations and improve existing innovations to align them with our sustainability goals.

‘Although some of these technologies have reached a relatively advanced stage, they still require dedicated research and development to ensure their successful implementation in the maritime context. On the other hand, certain technologies are still in their infancy and require basic research and rigorous testing. After a thorough feasibility study, we identified the most promising technologies for our pioneering future cruise ships. We are committed to delivering a ship within a few years that surpasses all others in terms of energy efficiency and sustainability.’