Well it might not have that memorable crew from the 70s hit show, “The Love Boat,” but the Ecoship has its own cast putting it into development, and they’re calling it the “Peace Boat.”
The design for the world’s “greenest” cruise ship has been
finalized, and its maiden voyage in 2020 will be announced at COP21.
finalized, and its maiden voyage in 2020 will be announced at COP21.
The plans for this whole-system, future-ready 55,000 ton cruise ship have been developed by a world-class team of over 30 engineers, scientists and thinkers from the fields of ship-building and cutting-edge eco-technology (including renewable energy, architecture, biophilia and waste management). The Ecoship Project is the brainchild of Peace Boat, a Japan-based NGO, which has been running educational voyages for peace and sustainability since 1983.
With a stunning hull form inspired by the whale, the vessel’s ecologically friendly features include 10 retractable solar-panelled sails and retractable wind generators, as well as a future-ready hybrid engine. Together with its projected cuts of CO2 emissions and impressive energy efficiency, Peace Boat’s Ecoship will be the flagship for green technology in passenger shipping, serving as a model for cruise operators worldwide.
The global shipping industry is one of the major contributors to GHG emissions. While the cruise industry represents only a tiny fraction of world shipping, it still comprises hundreds of large ships visiting pristine marine areas and must contribute to the agenda of solutions. Further, cruising is the most publically visible interaction between modern shipping and the public and thus has the greatest potential to raise awareness and effect change across the industry as a whole.
“Peace Boat’s 2020 launch of the Ecoship offers a vision for a climate-friendly future and can lead the way towards a green cruising model that can also impact the wider shipping industry. The industry must adapt to the planet’s needs.” Explains Yoshioka Tatsuya, Founder and Director of Peace Boat.
“We are delighted to see wind propulsion being used on this innovative cruise ship design. The Ecoship will be a front runner in the design of lower impact cruise vessels and we will be working with the industry segment to help bring more wind propulsion solutions into the mix.” Said Gavin Allwright, Secretary of the International Windship Association (IWSA), “IWSA has recently welcomed Peace Boat onboard as one of our newest members, and we look forward to working together over the coming years, helping to spread the message of low carbon, sustainable shipping worldwide.”
The Ecoship will also embody sustainability efforts through its activities. It will sail for Peace Boat’s around the world educational voyages carrying 5000 people per year; host exhibitions of green technology in up to 80 ports annually; and serve as a floating sustainability laboratory able to contribute to research on the ocean, climate and green marine tech.
This awareness-building imperative is paramount for Peace Boat, which has Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and serves as an official messenger for projects including the UNISDR Resilient Cities Campaign. Peace Boat was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008 and has sailed on over 80 voyages, carrying more than 50,000 people to over 180 ports.
“Peace Boat’s Ecoship sailing the oceans and cooperating with communities in port will be a wonderful symbol of the interconnectedness of peace and sustainability.” Said Wanjira Mathai, Director of Parternships for Women Entrepreneurs in Renewables (WPOWER Hub) the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace & Environmental Studies.
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