Image: Meyer WerftSmall and medium-sized electric boats, excursion vessels, and especially electric ferries are becoming increasingly common. In these segments, electrification is already making significant progress. However, the situation is different for cruise ships. In this segment, plans to electrify large passenger vessels remain rare—but they do exist.For instance, four years ago, the ‘Yangtze River Three Gorges 1’ completed its maiden voyage. The ship measures 100 metres in length, 16.3 metres in width, and can accommodate 1,300 passengers. At the time, it was considered the world’s largest battery-electric cruise ship. Smaller in scale is the planned vessel by the Norwegian shipping company Hurtigruten, which is set to launch in 2030.At the currently ongoing Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami, Meyer Werft is presenting its concept study for a fully electric cruise ship under the project name ‘Vision.’ The concept is designed to span 275 metres in length and accommodate 1,856 passengers. It is set to be the world’s first fully electric cruise ship with a gross tonnage (GT) exceeding 82,000. GT refers to the measure of a ship’s total calculated size.The battery system for the electric ship will be supplied by the Norwegian company Corvus Energy.“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,” said Thomas Weigend, Chief Sales Officer of Meyer Werft.“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,” added Fredrik Witte, CEO of Corvus Energy. Image: Meyer Werft Image: Meyer Werft Image: Meyer Werft Image: Meyer Werft Image: Meyer WerftHowever, no further details have been provided regarding the capacity of the battery system or the exact range of the concept. According to the shipyard, the battery system is expected to be sufficient for the majority of typical European cruise routes, such as the journey from Barcelona to Civitavecchia near Rome.Meyer Werft is optimistic about charging infrastructure. “By 2030, around one hundred ports across Europe will offer the required charging infrastructure,” the company states. For longer distances, the ‘Vision’ can optionally be realised as a hybrid variant with small generators, for example, for transatlantic crossings.The battery-electric propulsion concept is also set to influence the ship’s design. The usual shaft for exhaust gas treatment and the funnel, which typically occupies parts of the sun deck, can be omitted. This is expected to enable a new sun deck design with unobstructed views. Additionally, the shipyard promises greater on-board comfort, as the absence of main engines will further reduce noise and vibrations.“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%,” explained Tim Krug from the Meyer Werft Concept Development Group.“The technology is available today. If ordered this year, we could already deliver the first ship in 2031,” concluded Weigend.meyerwerft.de