Hurtigruten Norway has released updated plans for its “Sea Zero” project. Scheduled to debut in 2030, the zero-emission ship is in its research and development phase. 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 to 50 percent.
Hurtigruten Norway first announced its Sea Zero project in October 2022, and unveiled its first set of renderings in summer 2023. A second version of renderings has now been released, and plans are even more advanced. Calculations show that the ship will use about 40 to 50 percent less energy than today’s ships, which makes it possible to operate primarily on batteries as the main energy source. The ship’s sails can be raised and lowered as needed. Preliminary estimates indicate that the sails could reduce energy consumption by around 10 percent over time. Additionally, solar panels will contribute another 2 to 3 percent in energy savings.
The type of sail being investigated is called OceanWings. These French-developed sails are already in use on the cargo ship Canopée.
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.
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 5 to 10 percent. Combined with modern hull design, advanced anti-fouling coatings, and regular hull cleaning, water resistance can be significantly reduced. Preliminary results also show that better ventilation and insulation systems, as well as advanced energy management, can lead to significant energy savings.
“Smart cabins” will allow guests to control their energy usage and heighten their awareness of sustainability. Guests can control heating and ventilation through an app and a screen in the cabin, while also seeing how much energy is being used.
For more information, visit www.hurtigruten.com.
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