Can Cruise Ships Ever Be Truly Green? Norway May Hold The Answer

Forbes

09-05-2025

Could cruise ships of the future look like this? Hurtigruten's "Sea Zero" research project will give us some answers.
Although they are hugely popular, cruise ships are far from sustainable. Traditional vessels burn heavy fuel oil, emit significant greenhouse gases, and rely on complex global supply chains.
But in Norway, where environmental awareness runs deep and maritime innovation has long been a national strength, a pair of cruise companies are showing how a cleaner future may already be within reach.
With environmental requirements baked into government contracts, the ships serving Norway's historic Bergen–Kirkenes coastal route are at the forefront of green maritime innovation.
The two operating companies—Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages—are taking different but equally ambitious approaches to decarbonizing maritime transport.
The wider cruise industry is watching closely, and for good reason. What's happening in Norway could shape the global cruise sector's path forward.
Havila Voyages has already made headlines by launching four of the world's most environmentally friendly passenger vessels, now in operation along the coast of Norway.
These coastal cruise ferries run on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and battery power, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40% compared to conventional ships. When powered by liquid biogas, that figure rises to as much as 90%.
Now, Havila is going a step further. Through a research initiative called LNGameChanger, the company is working with Norwegian technology partners to develop an onboard carbon capture system.
The idea is to use solid oxide fuel cells to generate electricity from LNG while simultaneously capturing the resulting carbon dioxide, liquefying it, and storing it on the ship for later offloading at port.
Havila's coastal cruise ships can already sail purely on battery power in scenic locations such as Norway's Trollfjord.
LNGameChanger is backed by the Norwegian Research Council and involves maritime technology firm HAV Group, LNG supplier Molgas, and research institute SINTEF.
Feasibility studies, voyage simulations, and infrastructure planning are already underway to prepare Havila's LNG-powered fleet as testbeds for the new system.
As many of the world's newest megaships now run on LNG, the success of this research project could have wide-reaching implications for the entire cruise industry.
While Havila focuses on upgrading today's tech, Hurtigruten is attempting to design the cruise ship of tomorrow from scratch. Its Sea Zero project aims to launch the world's first fully zero-emission cruise vessel by 2030.
That's a bold goal given the energy demands of large ships, so, to get there, Hurtigruten is completely rethinking ship design.
The eye-catching prototype includes a sleek, energy-efficient hull, retractable sails for wind-assisted propulsion, an air lubrication system that reduces drag, and contra-rotating propellers for optimized thrust. Power will come from large battery packs charged with green electricity at ports along the route.
Sea Zero brings together leading Norwegian players including shipbuilder Vard, propulsion specialist Brunvoll, and researchers at SINTEF.
Recent testing at SINTEF's labs in Trondheim has shown encouraging results. The innovative design could reduce energy use by as much as 50% compared to current vessels, making full battery operation between charging ports a viable option under normal conditions.
According to Hurtigruten CEO Hedda Felin, the project is about future-proofing the company for the next century of sailing along the Norwegian coast.
Both companies are targeting 2030 as a milestone for more sustainable cruising.
Havila, which has already demonstrated the success of large-scale battery technology, is now exploring onboard carbon capture systems to reduce emissions from its LNG-powered fleet. Hurtigruten is aiming for a zero-emission reinvention of the cruise ship itself.
Their approaches differ, but their goals are shared: dramatically reduce emissions, showcase Norwegian maritime innovation, and preserve the pristine coastline they both call home.
So, can cruise ships ever be truly sustainable? Norway's answer is a resounding 'yes', but it will only come as a result of bold investment, deep collaboration and a willingness to rethink everything we know about cruise ships.