After announcing its plans to build its first zero-emission ship by 2030, Hurtigruten Norway has secured leading technology partnerships and applied for funding to embark on a research project to develop its innovative zero-emission ships.
Building on nearly 130 years of Norwegian pioneering heritage, Hurtigruten Norway has launched a project to develop zero-emission vessels for the Coastal Express by 2030, its most ambitious sustainability initiative to date. The next step in the “Sea Zero” project ensures that this innovative effort is supported by leading industry partners and has the necessary resources.
In collaboration with the SINTEF research institute and other partners, the first funding application for the next phase of the project has already been submitted. Hurtigruten Norway's Managing Director, Hedda Felin, emphasizes the importance of this, noting that being the first in the industry presents challenges, especially regarding costs, as currently only 0.1% of all ships worldwide have zero-emission technology.
“The cost of being first is always higher than copying others a few years later. However, time is running out for our environment, and Hurtigruten Norway and our partners want to do our part and lead the way to zero emissions. Progress towards sustainability in the cruise industry has simply been too slow. Consumers will no longer accept the use of heavy fuel oil or climate targets that lag far behind the Paris Agreement. Zero-emission ships are the game-changer the cruise industry needs,” says Felin.
In August 2022, a feasibility study was completed analyzing potential technological and fuel options for the new vessels. It aims to test a range of new and innovative technologies, as well as investigate modern batteries to make Hurtigruten's ships more environmentally friendly. Given that only 14% of the world's energy is currently renewable, and energy is becoming an even scarcer resource, energy efficiency will also be a key component of the Sea Zero project.
“Many people talk about the fuel and propulsion systems chosen, but for us it’s equally important to create a ship that consumes the least amount of energy possible and therefore has good range using green electricity. That’s why we’ll be focusing on testing a wide range of new technologies, from rotor sails and air bubble lubrication to heating pumps and storage for the passenger hotel,” says Trond Johnsen, marketing director of SINTEF Ocean.
Use of the best maritime knowledge
A key part of the Sea Zero project has been securing leading partners in the sector. In collaboration with Hurtigruten Norway, thirteen partners have joined the team to help develop zero-emission vessels adapted to the Norwegian coast and to pioneer new solutions for the industry.
“VARD is proud to be part of the Sea Zero project and to support Hurtigruten and the project team in their quest for the optimal zero-emission coastal cruise ship. We will draw on our experience of recent years designing and building state-of-the-art expedition cruise ships for the most demanding conditions. In this project, we will focus on environmental aspects, minimizing the overall impact for a sustainable coastal cruise. This is an important mission that greatly motivates us and a natural fit for our ZeroClass portfolio,” said Håvard Lien Vollset, Vice President of Research and Innovation at VARD.
