The shipping industry accounts for about 3% of global manmade greenhouse gas emissions. In 2018, the International Maritime Organization, the UN body that regulates global shipping, set a target to cut the industry’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least half by 2050.
This goal has led to a variety of designs for eco-friendly ships, including car carriers, superyachts, and cargo ships with retractable sails. But most of the designs still rely to at least some extent on engines that run on fossil fuels.
The Norwegian cruise ship company Hurtigruten has announced that it will build a zero-emissions electric cruise ship with retractable sails covered in solar panels. The ship is expected to set sail in 2030. Hurtigruten is a relatively small company, with a fleet of eight ships, each with a capacity of 500 passengers. But the company hopes that its innovative plan will inspire the entire maritime industry.
The ship will predominantly run off of electric motors powered by 60 megawatt batteries that can be charged in port with renewable energy. To reduce reliance on the battery, when it is windy, three retractable sails will rise out of the deck, reaching a maximum height of 164 feet. The sails will be covered in solar panels that will generate energy to top off the batteries while sailing.
The ship will have 270 cabins to hold 500 passengers and 99 crew members. The streamlined shape of the ship will result in less air resistance to further reduce energy use.
Hurtigruten already has a hybrid, battery-supported cruise ship and is currently in the process of converting its entire fleet to hybrid battery power.
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An electric cruise ship with gigantic solar sails is set to launch in 2030
Photo, posted January 15, 2023, courtesy of Bernard Spragg via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio
