World’s Most Energy Efficient Cruise Ship Announced

In years past there have been concerns expressed about whether cruise ships and cruise vacations are or can be eco-friendly. In recent years, most cruise lines have published their sustainability policies (and some of which we mention on their profile page on this website). As technology improves — and that’s been a big part of it — more cruise ships are investing in building new ships that are much more friendly to the environment.

Now Hurtigruten, one of our preferred cruise partners that has helped pioneer expedition cruising and has long been focused on sustainability, has announced plans for it’s newest project, Sea Wave,  involving a consortium of 12 partners, to build the first zero-emission cruise ship that will accommodate 500 guests and almost 100 crew.

The target set for launching the new ship is 2030, after which Hurtigruten plans to transform all of its fleet into zero-emission ships. The new ship will use electric batteries combined with wind power and extendable solar panels, A.I. maneuvering and air lubrication. Some of the new technologies the Hurtigruten Sea Wave project will include are well developed, while others will require additional testing in the coming years.

In 2019, Hurtigruten introduced the first battery-operated ship, MS Roald Amundsen, and the line now has three battery-hybrid ships in its fleet. Hurtigruten is one of the most experienced lines operating Polar Cruises to the Arctic and Antarctica, as well as Norwegian Coastal cruises. See more information about Hurtigruten expedition cruises.