German shipbuilder Meyer
Werft Group announced that it will present Project ‘Vision’, the world’s
first 100 percent battery-electric cruise ship concept at SeaTrade Cruise
Global in Miami.
“We asked ourselves how we can use innovation to reduce CO₂
and contribute to decarbonization — not in 50 years, but much sooner. We enable
a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of up to 95 percent,” said Tim Krug
from the Meyer Werft Concept Development Group in a statement. “Every year, Meyer
Werft presents an entirely new and innovative concept at Seatrade Cruise
Global, the world’s largest industry trade show, underlining its position as a
technological leader.
Thomas Weigend, Chief Sales Officer at Meyer Werft added, “The
battery system is supplied by Corvus Energy from Norway. We are pleased to have
Corvus Energy — the pioneer in safe and reliable battery systems for ships,
having equipped more than half of the world’s hybrid and fully electric seagoing
vessels — at our side. The technology is available today. If ordered this
year, we could already deliver the first ship in 2031.”
With the battery system, a large portion of typical European
cruise routes can be covered, such as the route from Barcelona to Civitavecchia
near Rome. By 2030, around 100 ports across Europe will offer the required
charging infrastructure. Upon request, ships can also be built as hybrids with
small generators, enabling transatlantic crossings.
Fredrick Witte, CEO of Corvus Energy said, “Our close
collaboration with Meyer Werft and the combination of our capabilities
demonstrated with the ‘Vision’ is the natural evolution of battery technology —
and a defining moment for the cruise industry. Scaling to fully electric cruise
ships shows the world that the technology is safe, mature and ready to change
the game.”
Project ‘Vision’ also introduces new architectural
approaches to cruise ship design: a vertical shaft running through the ship for
exhaust treatment and the funnel which usually occupies parts of the sun deck —
can be completely eliminated, enabling an entirely new sun deck design with
unobstructed views.
The ‘Vision’ concept study is designed as an all‑weather
ship with fully glazed, weather‑protected areas. The typical aqua
park, for example, has been arranged as an indoor area at the stern, making for
year-round use. Additionally, the fully battery‑electric power system will provide
significant onboard comfort improve, with fewer engine noises and vibrations.
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