River cruise lines have definitely become increasingly green in recent years, having gradually incorporated more fuel-efficient engines, improved waste management systems, onboard recycling programs, reusable water bottles and the use of LED lighting.
It's a trend that is not only nice to see, but necessary in order for the river cruise industry to continue to grow sustainably without leaving an irreversible footprint on the waterways and destinations their vessels sail through and to.
But what if there was a way to develop a fully electric, zero emissions river cruise ship? That would even further reduce river cruising's impact. It seems like a futuristic fantasy, and yet, Mario Ferreira, founder and CEO of Portuguese river cruise line Douro Azul, says it's something the company is planning for 2019.
Ferreira announced his plan earlier this month at Seatrade Europe, where he set a goal to unveil the first-ever river cruise vessel 100% powered by electric propulsion in March 2019, according to a Seatrade report.
Ferreira said this was possible due to the fact that battery technology evolution has resulted in the availability of smaller, more affordable battery units. The 126-passenger vessel would recharge its batteries while docked in ports.
Douro Azul confirmed the report but would not reveal any additional details about the project.
If Douro Azul and the Portuguese shipyard it's working with on this project, West Sea, pull this off, it could mark the first step in a potential sea change in how river cruise vessels are powered. And while it will still probably be awhile before other river cruise lines start building electric river cruise ships, as with all big changes, it begins with a first.