The “Ecoship” cruise project, an innovative ocean liner that aims to incorporate the latest advancements in renewable energy and become a benchmark for the sustainability of maritime transport in the future, is being designed in Spain. Oliver Design, a naval architecture and design firm based in Getxo, Basque Country, has been selected by the Japanese NGO Peace Boat, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and promoter of this ambitious project, to design and build a high-end, environmentally friendly cruise ship.
The Spanish company has been working on this project since 2012 and has completed the entire architectural design of the ship to date. In this pioneering project, Oliver Design is collaborating with a team of global experts, coordinated by Peace Boat's project manager, naval engineer Dr. Andrés Molina, who has extensive experience in the cruise industry. The Japanese NGO aims to have the ship delivered by the builder in 2020, coinciding with the Tokyo Olympic Games.
The “Ecoship” is designed as an ocean liner of around 60,000 gross registered tons, with the capacity to accommodate up to 2,000 passengers in its 750 cabins. Measuring 250 meters in length, 32 meters in beam, and with a draft of eight meters, the ship will reach a cruising speed of 17 knots and a maximum speed of 21 knots. This is a unique project worldwide, as it aims to incorporate the most advanced energy technologies not in an experimental vessel, but in a large-tonnage ship. The maritime transport industry is currently one of the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, so the objective is to demonstrate to shipowners and builders that more sustainable maritime transport is possible.
Thus, the project incorporates 10 large retractable elements integrated with solar panels on the upper part of its deck, which can operate like large sails depending on wind conditions. The initial design of this distinctive feature on the “Ecoship” was developed in collaboration with German naval engineer Detlev Loell, an expert who contributed his knowledge of sail propulsion. In this way, the vessel can use these devices to propel itself and generate energy from sunlight simultaneously.
Furthermore, the cruise ship will feature a hybrid engine, powered alternately by diesel and liquefied natural gas, capable of saving up to 20% on fuel consumption and reducing CO2 emissions by up to 40% compared to a ship of similar characteristics. The “Ecoship” also incorporates the latest advances in waste management, as well as architectural design proposals based on biophilia.
Oliver Design's relationship with the NGO promoting this project dates back to October 2012, during the International Cruise Summit in Madrid. It was there that Jaime Oliver, founder and CEO of the Spanish company, learned that Peace Boat was seeking a designer for its project. Based on this initial idea, Oliver Design developed a first version of the plans for the "Ecoship." Subsequently, Peace Boat's founder and director, Yoshioka Tatsuya, finalized the agreement for the Spanish firm to be responsible for the architectural design of the "Ecoship."
The project was presented and enthusiastically received at the 21st International Conference on Climate Change held in Paris in December 2015, the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi in January 2016, and the TED Conference in Vancouver in April of this year. It was first presented to the cruise industry at the 2016 Seatrade Global Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
The name Peace Boat reflects the format adopted from the outset by this Japanese NGO for its activities: educational voyages on large passenger ships, offering opportunities for onboard interaction and contact with people from different countries. The goal is to develop cooperation programs while promoting responsible tourism. The organization intends for the “Ecoship” to be a turning point for the shipping industry and a flagship for raising awareness about climate change. In addition to serving as the vessel for Peace Boat's round-the-world cruises, the ship will host exhibitions on green in the 100 ports it is expected to call at each year, and will also serve as a floating laboratory contributing to research on the ocean, climate, and green technologies. The ship will also contribute to raising awareness and actively engaging with the challenges of Sustainable Development.
