World’s most eco-friendly cruise ship designed in Spain

Japanese NGO Peace Boat has commissioned Spanish naval architecture firm Oliver Design to build a high-range eco-friendly cruise ship. The Ecoship cruise liner will feature all the latest innovations in renewable energy use and is destined to become a benchmark for sustainability in maritime transport.

The Spanish firm has been working on the project since 2012 and has now completed the full architectural design of the ship, from the first sketches to the plan with the general layout of the vessel, including details of cabins and public areas, external 3D view, videos and other projection and display features.

In May, Peace Boat signed an agreement of intent with Finnish shipyard Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Inc., a major milestone in the development of the project. The aim is for the ship to be delivered to the Japanese NGO in time for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The Ecoship will be an ocean liner with a gross register tonnage of 60,000 tonnes, capable of housing 2,000 passengers in 750 cabins. It will be 250 metres long with a beam of 32 metres and a draft of 8 metres. It will have a maximum speed of 21 knots and a cruising speed of 17 knots.

As informed, this is the first time that the most advanced energy technologies will be incorporated on a large-tonnage ship rather than on experimental vessels, as in previous projects. Sea transport is now one of the leading contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and one of the Ecoship’s aims is to show ship owners and builders that more sustainable vessels are possible.

Design of this revolutionary cruiser includes 10 large retractable elements made up of solar panels, which can operate as large sails in suitable wind conditions.  The revolutionary sails can be used for propulsion and at the same time to generate power. The Ecoship is designed to include a total of 6,000 square metres of solar panels with an output of 750 kW.

The ship will also have a hybrid engine, capable of being powered by diesel or LNG. This will save up to 20% in fuel consumption and reduce carbon emissions by up to 40%, compared to a similar ship with conventional technology.

In addition, the Ecoship will have all the latest advances in waste disposal and architectural design features based on the biophilia concept. Biophilia is a building concept that advocates maximum use of natural elements such as air, light and water.

The organization wants the Ecoship to be a turning point for the shipping industry and a flagship for raising awareness on climate change. As well as hosting Peace Boat’s voyages throughout the world, the ship will be used to stage exhibitions on green technology at the 100 ports where it is expected to dock each year.

It is also expected to act as a floating laboratory, contributing to research on the ocean, climate and eco-technologies. The ship will contribute to raising awareness and promoting an active commitment to the challenges of sustainable development.