Hurtigruten's initiative to develop the world's most energy-efficient cruise ship has progressed, as the Sea Zero project recently concluded a series of tests at SINTEF Ocean's facilities in Trondheim (Norway).
The project is evaluating several innovations, including large battery packs, retractable sails equipped with solar panels, air lubrication systems, contra-rotating propellers, and an energy-optimized hull design.
Hurtigruten aims to design a vessel capable of zero-emission operations along the Norwegian coast by 2030. Gerry Larsson-Fedde, Chief Operating Officer at Hurtigruten, indicated that the tests have provided substantial insights, demonstrating that many of the project's ambitious goals are feasible in practice.
After extensive design work and testing, the ship's design has been refined to feature an elongated, lower profile for enhanced stability, now incorporating two large retractable sails that can be deployed or stowed as needed. Digital simulations and physical trials in Trondheim, utilizing an eight-meter model in SINTEF’s ocean basin and towing tank, confirmed that these sails alone could reduce energy consumption by 10–15%.
Larsson-Fedde noted that with each iteration, the design is optimized further. The current configuration extends the ship's length by eight meters, increases its width slightly, and reduces its height by one deck, contributing to improved stability. Additionally, the number of sails has been reduced from three to two.
The Sea Zero concept aspires to achieve a 40–50% reduction in energy consumption compared to current vessels. This reduction would enable the use of batteries charged via shore power in key ports, facilitating emission-free operations.
Trond Johnsen, Project Manager for Sea Zero, stated that with the targeted energy use reduction, it is realistic to install a battery system capable of powering the ship between charging ports under normal weather conditions. Hurtigruten is collaborating closely with Norwegian research institute SINTEF and other leading partners to refine the design.
Anders Alterskjær, Research Manager at SINTEF Ocean, explained that to fully understand and analyze how these technologies interact, advanced numerical simulations are being employed, alongside the development of new laboratory techniques and instrumentation for ship model testing. The model tests and analyses conducted thus far have yielded encouraging results toward reducing energy demand to the levels necessary for zero-emission operation.
Sea Zero Project Overview:
- Objective: Develop the world's most energy-efficient cruise ship with zero-emission operations by 2030.
- Dimensions: 143.5 meters in length—Hurtigruten’s longest vessel to date.
- Innovations: Two retractable sails with integrated solar panels, achieving 10–15% energy savings; Contra-rotating propellers and air lubrication systems to minimize drag; Smart energy systems for heating, cooling, and onboard operations.
- Energy Efficiency: Targeting a 40–50% reduction in energy consumption compared to current ships.
- Collaborating Partners: SINTEF, Vard Design, DNV, Brunvoll, Plug, Corvus Energy, among others.