Cruise lines have long had a poor reputation when it comes to the environment, but that could be about to change.
For Viking Cruises is plotting to launch a cruise ship powered entirely by liquid hydrogen – an innovation which could revolutionise the entire sector.
Viking’s project manager Serge Fossati revealed the plans at the Norwegian Maritime Authority’s Safety at Sea Conference in Haugesund, Norway in September.
The planned vessel will apparently be around 230 metres long, with space for more than 900 passengers and a crew of 500. It would be based on the same design as Viking Sun which debuted Down Under last week.
Although liquid hydrogen is not produced on a large scale in Europe, Viking is apparently in talks to find a solution based in a Norwegian refinery.
Torstein Hagen, Founder and Chairman of Viking Cruises
“The road to that point is still long,” Viking chairman Torstein Hagen said in a statement.
“But here at Viking we want to be ahead of the game.”
The cruise industry has long been criticised for its impact on the environment, so this marks a significant turning point with other operators likely to follow suit.
The news follows Royal Caribbean’s recent pledge to go plastic-free aboard its ships.
Royal Caribbean has also confirmed it is working towards a fuel cell system with the technology to be implemented on its “Icon” class ship being developed for 2022 and beyond, although liquefied natural gas will most likely fuel propulsion.
However, the switch is not entirely without its complications. Although hydrogen fuel cells don’t produce greenhouse gases, the production of hydrogen does.
In addition, liquid hydrogen has not yet been used as marine fuel. One of the technical challenges will be to maintain the fuel at minus 253 degrees to keep it from evaporating.
Are you excited by this news from Viking Cruises?