Hurtigruten and Vard have revealed the design of the second version of the future coastal cruising ship, which, with the help of large batteries, sails, and other innovative solutions, will be able to sail entirely emission-free during normal operation along the Norwegian coast, with energy consumption reduced by a possible 40-50%.
The second version of the design, said to be even more advanced, has been developed by Vard, one of Hurtigruten’s key partners in the SeaZero-project, and integrates various innovative solutions created in collaboration with partners from the Norwegian maritime industry. Calculations show that the ship will use about 40-50% less energy than today’s ships, which makes it possible to operate primarily on batteries as the main energy source.
Torkild Skjong, Lead Concept Designer SeaZero said: “The SeaZero design is a compromise of the most promising technologies put in system. The task is to create a vessel fulfilling the demands on future expectations of sustainability, zero emission. Designing the the SeaZero vessel, is like balancing on the edge of feasibility.”
One of the most novel elements is the sails, which can be raised and lowered as needed. Preliminary estimates indicate that the sails could reduce energy consumption by around 10% over time. Additionally, solar panels will contribute another 2-3% in energy savings. The type of sail being investigated is the French-developed OceanWings, which are already in use on the cargo ship Canopée.
Gerry Larsson-Fedde, COO Hurtigruten said: “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. As with all development projects, there will be adjustments to both the design and specifications along the way.”
The ship is planned with contra-rotating propellers as the main propulsion, and the batteries will have a capacity of around 60 MWh. Two retractable thrusters at the stern will ensure optimal manoeuvring during port operations and provide increased safety through redundancy.
Larsson-Fedde added: “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.”
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 5-10%. 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. So-called ‘smart cabins’ will allow guests to control their own energy usage. Through an app and a screen in the cabin, guests can control heating and ventilation, while also seeing how much energy is being used. This will increase guests’ awareness of sustainability.
Larsson-Fedde concluded: “We are already testing advanced sensors in these cabins, and in the near future, we will conduct full-scale tests with guests onboard.”
Image: Vard’s SeaZero design is moving forward (credit: Vard)
