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Monday,  December 9, 2024   2:32 PM
Hurtigruten makes “significant progress” on zero-emission cruise ship

Hurtigruten has shared new details about its “Sea Zero” project, a zero-emission ship scheduled to debut in 2030.

With the help of large batteries, sails, and other innovative solutions, the ship will be able to sail entirely emission-free during normal operation, while energy consumption could be reduced by 40-50 per cent, the expedition company said in a press release Wednesday (Oct. 9).

Hurtigruten first announced its Sea Zero project in October 2022, and then unveiled its first set of renderings in summer 2023.

As the research and development phase continues, a second version of renderings are now released.

It was developed in the Norwegian city of Ålesund by Vard, one of Hurtigruten’s key partners in the Sea Zero project, and integrates several solutions created in collaboration with partners from the Norwegian maritime industry.

Hurtigruten's zero-emission cruise ships is set to debut in 2030. (Hurtigruten)

Sea Zero adds to other sustainable initiatives that Hurtigruten is working on, such as reducing edible food waste to zero and a transition to battery-hybrid-powered technology that reduces CO2 and Nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by 25 per cent and 80 per cent, respectively.

“The cruising industry is a significant polluter, and it is crucial that we now take major steps to reduce emissions. Our goal is to have an emission-free ship in operation by around 2030. We are still in the research and development phase, but we have made significant progress,” said Hurtigruten CEO Hedda Felin, in a statement.

Sails that can be raised & lowered

One of the most interesting elements about Hurtigruten’s new ship are the sails, which can be raised and lowered as needed.

Preliminary estimates indicate that the sails could reduce energy consumption by around 10 per cent over time, the company syas.

Additionally, solar panels will contribute another two to three per cent in energy savings.

The sails could reduce energy consumption by around 10 per cent over time. (Hurtigruten)

“We still see significant energy savings from having retractable sails with solar panels, but this requires thorough studies, including model tests to be conducted in the coming months. We have also changed the sail type to a more mature design already in use on cargo ships,” said Chief Operating Officer Gerry Larsson-Fedde of Hurtigruten.

The type of sail being investigated is called OceanWings. These French-developed sails are already in use on the cargo ship Canopée.

“As with all development projects, there will be adjustments to both the design and specifications along the way,” Larsson-Fedde added.

Technically advanced

The ship is planned with contra-rotating propellers as the main propulsion, and the batteries will have a capacity of around 60 megawatt-hours.

Two retractable thrusters at the stern will ensure optimal maneuvering during port operations and provide increased safety through redundancy.

“The central part of the project is to reduce energy consumption. The goal is to use significantly less energy than today's ships, which requires innovative solutions,” said Larsson-Fedde.

Another measure is air lubrication of the hull, where air bubbles are pumped beneath the hull to reduce drag. This can provide energy savings of five to ten per cent, says the company.

Combined with modern hull design, advanced anti-fouling coatings, and regular hull cleaning, water resistance can be significantly reduced,” said Hurtigruten.

Preliminary results also show that better ventilation and insulation systems, as well as advanced energy management, can lead to significant energy savings.

So-called “smart cabins” will allow guests to control their own energy usage. Guests would be able to control heating and ventilation through an app and a screen in the cabin, while also seeing how much energy is being used.

“We are already testing advanced sensors in these cabins, and in the near future, we will conduct full-scale tests with guests onboard,” Larsson-Fedde sad.


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