Futuristic Luxury Cruise Concept Breaks the Norm With Six Green Technologies

If we're getting crazy-looking flying cars, innovative campers, and clean energy yachts, luxury cruise ships should also be reinvented. Cruising giants are turning more and more to LNG (liquefied natural gas) and other alternative fuels. At the extreme end of the spectrum, insane concepts like the Earth 300 envision spaceship-like vessels.

Even luxury hospitality groups are dabbling into green cruising that doesn't sacrifice high-level comfort. Accor, primarily known for the Orient Express brand, has recently announced its introduction to the cruising world with a revolutionary type of vessel under the same brand. The Orient Express sailing megayacht will combine an engine running on LNG with an innovative sailing system. When the weather allows it, the SolidSail will be capable of propelling the giant 220-meter (721 feet) vessel on its own.

At first glance, the recently-unveiled cruise superyacht concept by French operator Ponant looks similar due to the sailing system. However, the Swap2Zero vessel goes way beyond that, combining no less than six technologies for zero-emission cruising, something that's never been done in the industry.

The first one is a state-of-the-art sail system combined with an efficient hull design. This will provide half of the propulsion energy using pure wind power. Secondly, the Swap2Zero will also use solar power with the help of photovoltaic panels totaling more than 1,000 square meters (10,760 square feet).

The third and fourth green systems on board rely on fuel cell technology. One is based on low-temperature fuel cells, using liquid hydrogen for propulsion. The other is based on high-temperature fuel cells and will be geared toward the vessel’s hotel load (all onboard electrical systems). For increased sustainability, the water and heat resulting from these processes will be used further. The heat emitted during the high-temperature process will be used to obtain hot water, and the water and heat resulting from the low-temperature process will also be recycled.

A custom-designed energy management system will bring it all together, controlling and distributing power without the use of generators. Last but not least, one of the most interesting technologies is an onboard carbon-capture system connected to the high-temperature fuel cell.

This highly complex technology network will result in zero emissions, including CO2, N2O, and methane. It also enables an outstanding one-month autonomy for this large ship. The Swap2Zero will boast 181 meters (just under 600 feet) and 100 luxury staterooms. In addition to high-end cruising, it also aims to double as a research platform. Scientists studying decarbonizing technologies will be invited onboard through the Ponant Science program.

The French cruise operator is currently considering two sailing options – SolidSail (the same as the Orient Express megayacht) and the Ayro Oceanwings (with proven industrial applications). The innovative ship concept was developed together with naval architecture expert Stirling Design International. Next, Ponant is looking for the right shipyard. The goal is to launch the groundbreaking Swap2Zero by the end of this decade.