Meyer Werft Group has unveiled details of its ‘Project Vision’, said to be the first 100% battery‑electric cruise ship with a size of more than 80,000gt.
The concept study is intended to demonstrate how sustainable innovations can redefine the future of cruise industry. Project Vision is for a cruise vessel 275m long, accommodating 1,856 passengers, and with a size of around 82,000gt. The battery system is supplied by Corvus Energy from Norway.
Tim Krug, Meyer Werft Concept Development Group, said: “We asked ourselves how we can use innovation to reduce CO₂ and contribute to decarbonisation — not in 50 years, but much sooner. We enable a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of up to 95%.”
Johannes Bade, responsible for the development programme behind Vision, added: “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.”
Thomas Weigend, Chief Sales Officer, Meyer Werft, said: “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.”
Corvus Energy CEO Fredrik Witte said: “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.”
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 100 ports across Europe will offer the required charging infrastructure. Upon request, the ships can be built as hybrids with small generators, enabling, for example, transatlantic crossings.
Project Vision 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 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.
Image: Project Vision low-emission cruise concept (credit: Meyer Werft Group)
