The epitome of luxury, Kurt Strand’s superyacht designs may also be the key to reducing emissions produced by ocean travel.
The superyacht concept from Norwegian designer Kurt Strand, dubbed “Norway”, offers a futuristic vessel with a nod to the Viking Age. But while it takes design inspiration from the past, it also offers a glimpse into what’s to come for the booming superyacht industry.
The flat-bottomed 528-foot superyacht looks quite like a Norse Viking ship, but it comes equipped with the most advanced emissions-free seafaring technology those conquerors couldn’t have imagined.
The superyacht will be outfitted with three electro-hydraulic carbon-fiber rig masts stretching 315 feet with the ability to rotate. The sails, designed to mimic those of Norse boats, total nearly 65,000 square feet, and are wrapped in solar cell foil to help power the yacht. They also unfurl in just about six minutes with the push of a button.
Through the solar sails, the superyacht stores the energy in a battery bank that’s then converted into hydrogen. It’s also designed to feature three multi-fuel generators that can work on diesel, liquified natural gas, or hydrogen.
“The superyacht ‘Norway’ is how I imagine a modern Viking ship would look like today with its space-age technology and patented Falcon rig masts made from carbon fiber,” Strand said in a statement.
Superyacht living
While not as big as Somnio, the 730-foot luxury megaliner from Carl Le Souef, Norway is big enough to include 12 suites and 40 crew members. The superyacht houses a beach club, fitness center, spa, swimming pool, theater, garage, and its own mini-hospital.
At the center of the middle mast sits the “sky elevator,” which Strand designed to deliver 360-degree ocean views at 340 feet above the water.
It also features a submersible limousine boat Strand says is “easily launched.”
“This extravagant tender features a tracking system so it can drive up on a beach and can even travel underwater in ‘sub mode.”
While Somnio is designed for permanent residency, Norway is designed for extended stays. Both offer smaller carbon footprints to traditional dwellings or vacation accommodations and emphasize ocean conservation.
Strand’s sustainable designs
Norway may be his most eco, but it’s not the first sustainable superyacht concept from Strand. Earlier this year, the Florida-based Norwegian designer released a 525-footer named Florida, which also featured solar sails and hydrogen cell engine technology.
In 2020, Strand’s studio launched designs for the adventure yacht dubbed Miami. It was designed “to push the development of new, more environmentally friendly yacht or ship propulsion systems forward,” Strand said.
That yacht featured a hybrid power system, hydrogen-fuel-cell generators, and an interior decked out with vegan leather, reclaimed wood, and recycled steel, aluminum, and plastic.
Strand is also bringing his designs to the metaverse, in a partnership with Cyber Yachts, the world’s first metaverse yacht company, announced earlier this month. Cyber Yachts was founded in partnership with three-time Grammy-nominated recording artist Quavo of the platinum-selling group Migos.
Strand’s 444-foot superyacht dubbed “California” will be the largest and most luxurious yacht in the metaverse. The vessel comes equipped with high-end amenities and will host events featuring A-list celebrities, according to Cyber Yachts.
The California is reportedly modeled after gladiator helmet designs, clocks in at 8,000 tons, and can host up to 24 guests and a crew of 50. The yacht features a helicopter landing pad, three swimming pools with waterfalls, a Turkish bath, movie theater, a bowling alley, and a showroom for classic cars. The ship runs on a hybrid-electric propulsion system powered by fuel-efficient diesel turbine generators. The ship also runs on solar power and can cruise for five hours at 11 knots per hour solely on solar.
Tickets for both the virtual and in-person experiential events will be made up of unique NFT collections, minted and branded exclusively for each event.
