Imagine a cruise ship full of batteries, without noisy diesels pumping out fumes! Most cruise ships already have electric propellers and electric side thrusters. But they still need diesels to generate electricity, so that’s not real progress yet.
What we really need are fully-electric ships, running on pure battery power. But we have not reached that point just yet, because we would need so many batteries there would be insufficient space for passengers. The numbers have simply not added up until now. But wait just a moment …
Plans For a Battery Electric Cruise Ship
Marine Insight tipped us off about this exciting news, and we credit them as our primary source. The battery storage area will be deep down in the bowels of the vessel, where the diesel engines previously would have gone.
We imagine this arrangement will continue to provide stability and balance, and avoid the need for a total redesign. The cruise ship full of batteries could then recharge at the ports it visited, much the same as diesel vessels top up their fuel tanks.
We understand that a German shipbuilder already has the technology in place, and is waiting for customers. While a battery provider has lithium batteries available too, with suitable energy density, life cycle potential, and safety measures.
Please Tell Me More About the Batteries
Corvus Energy uses several chemistries for its marine propulsion systems. These are primarily lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC).
But rather than manufacturing raw battery cells itself, the company specializes in integrating marine-grade battery systems with advanced cooling, monitoring and fire-protection technology.
Companies like this are helping to pave the way for future cruise ships full of batteries. That’s marine vessels, where high energy density, long cycle life and improved safety are becoming essential for successful operation.
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