At Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami/USA this week, the Meyer Werft is presenting Project “Vision”, the world’s first 100% battery‑electric cruise ship with a size of more than 80,000 GT. The concept study demonstrates how sustainable innovations can redefine the future of the cruise industry.
Every year, Meyer Werft presents an entirely new and innovative concept at Seatrade Cruise Global, the world’s largest industry trade show. Project Vision is 275 metres long, accommodates 1856 passengers, and has a size of around 82,000 GT.
‘We asked ourselves how we can use innovation to reduce CO2 and contribute to decarbonisation — not in fifty years, but much sooner. We enable a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of up to 95 per cent,’ explains Tim Krug from the Meyer Werft Concept Development Group.
Johannes Bade, responsible at Meyer Werft for the development programme behind Vision, adds: ‘With battery‑electric cruise ships, we offer a competitive product that relies on existing technologies. We are opening up entirely new opportunities for our customers to operate sustainably and profitably in the long term.’
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‘Natural evolution of battery technology’
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,’ says Thomas Weigend, Chief Sales Officer at 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. Scaling to fully electric cruise ships shows the world that the technology is safe, mature and ready to change the game,’ adds Fredrik Witte, CEO of Corvus Energy.
100 European ports accessible by 2030
With the battery system, a large portion of typical European cruise routes can be covered, for example the route from Barcelona to Civitavecchia near Rome. By 2030, around one hundred ports across Europe will offer the required charging infrastructure.
Upon request, the ships can also be built as hybrids with small generators, enabling, for example, transatlantic crossings.
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New sun deck design
Project Vision also introduces new architectural approaches to cruise ship design: the vertical shaft running through the ship for exhaust treatment and the funnel — which usually occupies parts of the sun deck — can be completely eliminated. This enables an entirely new sun deck design with unobstructed views.
The Vision concept study is designed as an all‑weather ship and includes fully glazed, weather‑protected areas. For example, the typical aqua park has been arranged as an indoor area at the stern, making it usable year‑round.
Another major advantage of the fully battery‑electric power system and the elimination of main engines: the onboard comfort improves significantly, with even fewer engine noises and vibrations.
