Hurtigruten unveils zero-emission ship of the future with towering solar sails

The concept ship is 135 metres long; it features 270 cabins, capable of accommodating 500 guests and 99 crew. The vessel will also have a “significant” cargo hold and transport cars, said the line.

The design incorporates a slimmed down bridge more akin to an aircraft cockpit, with artificial intelligence (A!) taking care of tricky manoeuvres into ports. Hurtigruten will also use AI to learn the most efficient docking and undocking methods for each port, improving docking in bad or challenging weather.

A guest app, meanwhile, will help minimise energy consumption by operating ultra-modern cabin ventilation, while measuring water and energy consumption.

“Developing new technologies for onboard hotel operations, which can consume up to 50% of the ship’s total energy use, will be crucial to the project’s success," said Hurtigruten. "The goal is a 50% energy reduction compared with Hurtigruten Norway’s current ships.”

The vessel also boasts several other firsts for a cruise ship, including contra-rotating propellers and multiple retractable thrusters. Additional technologies include air lubrication, advanced hull coating and proactive hull cleaning.

The concept is the result of a year’s research, with another two years’ work scheduled before the ship can move into production. Hurtigruten aims to bring the concept to fruition – and launch – by 2030.