Inside the 443ft long Green cruise ship of the future

Cruising around the open sea may seem like a superior way to travel, but eco-friendliness has never been a hallmark of this mode of transportation.

Changes might be on the way, however, with a zero-emissions liner expected to arrive soon.

Hurtigruten, which has been operating coastal trips in Norway for 130 years, is developing what could be the world's most energy-efficient ship of its class – featuring wind and solar sails, battery banks, and "smart" cabins.

The cruising mode has a larger carbon footprint compared to air travel, and the design will aim to address this concern through its 'zero-emission propulsion'.

The proposed ship, scheduled to depart in 2030, is anticipated to measure 443 ft in length and will offer accommodations for 500 passengers, with 270 cabins. In addition to serving passenger travel, the vessel will be equipped to transport cargo and facilitate journey's to various coastal regions.

Hurtigruten has teamed up with SINTEF, a research organization, to develop this concept.

Calculations indicate that the design will require around 40-50 percent less power than current vessels, making it feasible to rely mainly on batteries as the primary power source.

The "Three retractable sails" can reach a height of 164ft. They will draw in air currents and will be equipped with solar panels.

The sails will also capture energy from the wind and utilize it to propel the ship forward, similar to the way a sail on a traditional ship harnesses energy from the wind.

The cruise will run during the summer months, when northern Norway's 'midnight sun' consistently illuminates the area, shining daylight throughout every day.

Passengers will also be able to manage their cabin's energy usage through a mobile application.

Hurtigruten's CEO, Hedda Felin, stated, "The Coastal Express has conveyed along Norway's coast for 130 years. To continue sailing for another 130 years, we require adapting the way we sail. "

We are currently upgrading our fleet and reducing CO2 emissions by 25 per cent. Nevertheless, for the sake of our precious environment and for the benefit of future generations, we must do even more.

It will require a great deal of effort, a considerable amount of investment, and a lot of collaboration with extremely skilled partners. But I am confident we will succeed.

The cruising industry has a considerable impact on pollution, making it essential that we take substantial steps to lower emissions immediately.

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